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MP Urges Jaishankar to Secure Baby Ariha's Return During German Chancellor's Visit

CPM MP John Brittas has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging high-level diplomatic intervention during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's upcoming visit to India. The case concerns Baby Ariha Shah, an Indian child who has been in German foster care for over four and a half years despite the closure of criminal allegations against her parents. Brittas highlights that the child's rights to family, culture, and stable care are being violated, as she has been moved between five foster placements. The MP stresses that the Chancellor's visit presents a critical opportunity to resolve this humanitarian issue at the highest political level.

Key Points: India Seeks Baby Ariha's Repatriation from Germany in High-Level Talks

  • Child in German foster care for 4.5 years
  • Criminal allegations against parents ruled out
  • German court seeks termination of parental rights
  • MP seeks diplomatic push during Chancellor's visit
  • Child's cultural identity and stability at risk
2 min read

CPM MP John Brittas seeks EAM Jaishankar's intervention during German Chancellor's visit over Baby Ariha Shah case

CPM MP John Brittas writes to EAM Jaishankar, urging intervention during German Chancellor's visit to bring home Baby Ariha Shah from foster care.

"Ariha is a passport-holding Indian citizen whose rights... are being violated. - John Brittas"

New Delhi, January 7

John Brittas, CPI MP from Kerala, has written a letter to the Union Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, urging urgent high-level diplomatic intervention during the forthcoming visit of the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to secure the repatriation of Baby Ariha Shah, an Indian citizen who has remained in foster care in Germany for over four and a half years despite the closure of all criminal allegations against her parents.

In his letter, Brittas highlighted that Ariha, now approximately five years old, continues to remain under the custody of German Child Services even after the German hospital concerned has categorically ruled out any evidence of abuse and a court-appointed psychologist has recommended restoration of parental custody. Yet, German authorities persist in pursuing termination of parental rights and adoption within Germany.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala John Brittas underscored that Ariha is a passport-holding Indian citizen whose rights to family life, cultural identity, language and religion - guaranteed under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - are being violated.

He expressed serious concern over reports that the child is being deprived of contact with her extended family in India and denied participation in Indian cultural practices.

Drawing attention to the child's emotional vulnerability, Brittas said that Ariha's foster placement has been changed five times, depriving her of any stable caregiving environment. At present, the only consistent emotional support in her life consists of bi-monthly parental visits - a fragile arrangement that now faces uncertainty due to the parents' visa limitations in Germany. This matter has also been raised by several Members of Parliament, reflecting broad national concern over the humanitarian dimensions of the case.

He emphasised that the forthcoming first official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India on 12 - 13 January presents a critical diplomatic opportunity to resolve the issue at the highest political level.

He urged that the matter be taken up decisively during the bilateral engagement to ensure a humane and lawful outcome in the best interests of the child.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by MP Brittas. This is not just a legal issue but a humanitarian one. When even their own court-appointed psychologist recommends returning the child, why is Germany being so stubborn? It feels like a case of cultural misunderstanding or worse, prejudice. Hope the Chancellor's visit brings a solution.
A
Aman W
While I fully support bringing Ariha home, I hope our diplomacy is firm but respectful. We must advocate for the child's best interest, not just make it a point of national pride. The focus should be on her stability and right to be with her biological parents, which the evidence supports.
S
Sarah B
As someone living abroad, I see how child services can sometimes overreach. But 4.5 years after allegations are closed? Denying her Indian culture is cruel. She deserves to grow up knowing her festivals, her language, and her grandparents. This visit is the perfect chance to resolve this.
K
Karthik V
The system has failed this family completely. No evidence of abuse, yet they want to terminate parental rights? It's baffling. Our MEA has been quiet for too long on this. Glad MPs are pushing. Jaishankar sir, please bring our daughter home. 🙏
N
Nikhil C
Respectfully, while the emotional appeal is strong, we must also ensure our approach is correct. The article says the parents have visa limitations. Has our embassy provided them full consular support throughout? Sometimes our system is also slow. Hope this high-level intervention cuts through all red tape, both there and here.

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