Summoned German Ambassador to push for Baby Ariha’s return: MEA

Amidst calls by the opposition for the government to take up the case of Baby Ariha Shah, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that it had summoned the German Ambassador over the 2-year-old child’s situation in foster care in Germany. ‘Cultural rights infringed’ “At a minimum we believe this child’s cultural rights and rights as an Indian are being infringed upon by her being placed in German foster care,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters, adding that the 2021 case was being accorded “high priority”. Recording the nature of injuries reported in graphic detail, the court had decided that the child’s guardianship would be given to German Youth Services, who had taken Ariha from the parents in September 2021 and have placed her at a foster home since then. Diplomatic options Despite Ariha being an Indian citizen, German family law does not permit her travelling out of the Jugendamt’s jurisdiction, and any further action would necessitate the case being considered at a higher or even political level.