Pakistani Woman Facing Deportation After 30 Years in India

A 55-year-old Pakistani woman who has called Odisha her home for over three decades is facing deportation. Sarada Bai, who married an Indian citizen and built a life in India, received an exit notice from the district police. The notice states that she doesn’t have a long-term visa or fall under any exemption categories.

Sarada’s journey began in 1987 when her father brought her and her siblings to Odisha on a 60-day visa. They eventually settled in Koraput district. Sarada married a businessman in Bolangir about 35 years ago and now has a son, a daughter, and two grandchildren who are all Indian citizens.

Despite living in India for so long, Sarada hasn’t been able to obtain Indian citizenship. She says she applied for it long ago but hasn’t been successful. The police order gives her a deadline to leave the country, warning of legal action if she doesn’t comply.

Sarada has appealed to the government, pleading not to be separated from her family. She says she has no one in Pakistan and considers India her home. She hasn’t even spoken to anyone in Pakistan, not even over the phone, since she arrived.

This situation is part of a larger trend. The Odisha state government has issued exit notices to 12 other Pakistani nationals residing in various districts for similar reasons. Some had been staying on long-term visas, while others were living without valid documents.

According to officials, the state government is acting in accordance with the Indian government’s decision regarding Pakistani nationals’ visas.