Ariha Shah In a delicate and emotionally charged custody case, Indian diplomats in Germany recently had a consular visit with Ariha Shah with boycott Germany now trending in India
Ariha Shah is a two-year-old Indian child placed under foster custody by German Youth Services in September 2021.
Explained why is boycott Germany trending in India on Twitter/X and baby Ariha Shah case latest update news
Ariha Shah is the daughter of Dhara and Bhavesh Shah. Her parents have consistently denied allegations of deliberate abuse, were, however, denied access during the recent meeting. With Germany refusing to return her to her parents who are in India, a boycott trend has sparked on Twitter with users callimg for the boycott of Germany due to the ongoing issue with Ariha.
It's not good my German friends. Please give her Baby back. #Saveariha@eoiberlin
@DrSJaishankar @narendramodi @PMOIndia #BoycottGermany #BoycottGermany pic.twitter.com/YNkHFEcIRY— Globenews (@skbhamisara) January 10, 2024
The background of the case involves Ariha being taken into custody by Jugendamt, Germany’s youth services after being brought to a Berlin hospital with what was deemed “grievous” injuries. A German court ruled these injuries as evidence of deliberate abuse, a claim the parents vehemently dispute, attributing the injuries to accidents.
Despite India’s diplomatic efforts to repatriate Ariha and offer foster care within India, the legal landscape has taken a different turn. In June, a German court issued a court order placing Ariha in foster custody in Germany until she reaches adulthood. The Shahs launched a nationwide campaign urging the Modi government to intervene by drawing attention to the matter at various levels of government.
The latest development involves the Indian diplomats’ visit to Ariha, as reported by the government. However, the parents, who had traveled to Germany for a scheduled visitation appointment in September, were denied access to their daughter. Dhara Shah shared her disappointment, revealing that Jugendamt services had canceled visitations, citing reasons such as Ariha’s emotional state.
German Ambassador on Ariha Shah’s case
Speaking on the matter, German Ambassador Phillip Ackermann acknowledged the difficulty of discussing the case due to privacy and data protection laws in Germany. He assured that efforts were being made to find a solution but cautioned that it might not happen very soon. The complexity of the case is apparent, with both Indian and German authorities navigating legal, cultural, and privacy considerations.
The case not only raises questions about the rights of the parents but also sparks a broader conversation about the cultural rights of the child. India’s Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the importance of maintaining Ariha’s connection with her faith and culture. Resource materials related to Indian festivals, customs, and practices were handed over during the consular visit, highlighting the commitment to preserving the child’s cultural identity.
Despite the Indian government’s consistent engagement with German authorities to safeguard Ariha’s cultural rights and national identity, the resolution remains elusive.
A German court denied the custody pleas of Ariha Shah’s parents, citing two injuries that she had suffered, a head and back injury in April 2021 and a genital injury in September 2021 and the court instead handed over the child to Jugendamt, the German youth services.
Germany is developed country ? Developed countries doing this thing so I don't want India developed. Please give her Baby back. @eoiberlin @DrSJaishankar@PMOIndia#BoycottGermany #GermanyReturnGujaratiBaby pic.twitter.com/LwEMvIfsSc
— Mashoor Aadmi (@MashoorAadmi) January 10, 2024