In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Central Government has suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals as part of a series of retaliatory steps.
This move has raised questions about the future of Seema Haider, a woman from Pakistan who came to India in 2023 to marry her Indian partner. Seema had already been married in Pakistan’s Sindh province but entered India illegally through Nepal, bringing along her four children.
Despite public criticism, Seema's lawyer believes she should be allowed to stay in India. He claims she is no longer a Pakistani citizen.
“Seema is now married to Sachin Meena from Greater Noida. They recently had a daughter named Bharti Meena. Since her husband is Indian, her citizenship should now be linked to him,” said her lawyer, Advocate AP Singh.
Singh argued that the government's order only affects people who still hold Pakistani citizenship. “Seema is not one of them anymore. She is now Indian. According to Indian law, a woman's nationality can be based on her husband’s after marriage,” he added.
He also mentioned that Seema’s case is different because it is already being looked into by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
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“I have also sent a petition to the President of India on her behalf. Seema is out on bail and is following all the rules given by the Jewar court. This includes staying at her in-laws’ house in Rabupura, Greater Noida,” Singh explained.
Referring to international laws, Singh said, “Both the International Court of Justice and the Guardianship Act agree that a mother is the best guardian for her child. Do we want to send a child born in India back to Pakistan?”
He pointed out that the birth certificate issued in Uttar Pradesh lists Seema Meena as the mother and Sachin Meena as the father, which, according to him, shows she has become part of Indian society.
When asked if Seema might be exempted from the government’s new rule, Singh replied, “Yes, she should be. The Guardianship Act clearly says the child must stay with the mother.”
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