In a heartbreaking development, the Bolangir District Police in Odisha issued a formal order on Saturday asking Sarada Bai, a Pakistani national who has lived in India for over 35 years, to leave the country immediately.
Officials confirmed that her visa has been canceled, and she must return to Pakistan without delay.
A Life Built Over Decades Now Under Threat
Sarada Bai’s story is not that of a recent visitor — she has spent more than three decades building her life in India. After arriving in India from Pakistan many years ago, she married Mahesh Kukreja, a Hindu resident of Bolangir. Together, they raised a family and built a peaceful life.
Despite living in India for so long and even holding important documents like a voter ID card, Sarada was never granted Indian citizenship. This technicality is now at the heart of her sudden deportation order.
Why Was She Ordered to Leave Now?
The decision to expel Sarada Bai is part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at identifying and deporting foreign nationals who do not have legal citizenship, particularly after the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives.
In the wake of rising security concerns, authorities across India have stepped up efforts to strictly enforce immigration laws, especially for individuals from sensitive backgrounds such as Pakistan.
The police have made it clear: if Sarada Bai fails to leave voluntarily, legal action will be taken against her under Indian law.
A Mother’s Emotional Appeal
In an emotional interview with OTV, Sarada and her son opened up about their anguish.
“I have lived here for so many years, made friends, raised my children… this is my home,” Sarada said, tears filling her eyes.
She explained that although she holds a Pakistani passport, she also has an Indian voter ID and has considered India her true home for nearly 35 years. “I first came to Koraput, got married, and later settled in Bolangir. Since then, I have lived only for India and supported India. I have no one left in Pakistan,” she said, her voice trembling.
Her entire immediate family — husband, son, and daughter — are Indian citizens. Sarada now fears being forced to leave her children and husband behind, a prospect she calls unbearable.
A Plea That Has Moved Many
With folded hands, Sarada pleaded with the Indian government to allow her to stay.
“I have nowhere else to go. My life, my family, everything is here in India,” she said.
Her heartfelt appeal has touched the emotions of many people, both locally and beyond, who sympathize with her situation.
What Are Authorities Saying?
The Bolangir Police have maintained that they simply follow official government instructions. While there is sympathy for Sarada’s plight, officers have reiterated that they are bound by law and must enforce the deportation order unless a higher-level government intervention changes her status.
For now, Sarada’s fate hangs in the balance, as many await to see whether public sentiment and her emotional plea will result in any reconsideration of her case.
