Sarada Bai, a Pakistani national who has been living in India for over 35 years, has been directed by the Odisha Police to leave the country without delay. Her visa has been cancelled, and authorities have warned that legal action will be taken if she fails to comply with the order.
She is married to Mahesh Kukreja, a member of a Hindu family from Bolangir, Odisha. She came to India many years ago and built her life here. Her son and daughter are Indian citizens, and she is now a grandmother.
Although she holds key documents like a voter ID, she was never officially granted Indian citizenship.
Now, Sarada Bai has made an emotional appeal to the government, pleading not to be sent back to a country she no longer considers home.
“I was first in Koraput, then came to Bolangir. I have no one in Pakistan... Even my passport is too old. I ask the government and you all with folded hands, please allow me to live here. I have two grown children, grandchildren... I wish to live here as an Indian,” she said.
Her words have touched many people across the country, but Bolangir Police have said they will act according to the law.
This comes as part of India’s strong non-military actions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, including tourists.
These measures include: suspending the Indus Water Treaty, closing the Attari border, and cancelling visas of all Pakistani nationals in India
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