Relief for Shaurya Chakra Awardee’s Mother, But 59 Others Face Deportation from J&K

Dispelling Deportation Rumors

There was a wave of relief in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, after reports that Shamima Begum, the mother of Shaurya Chakra awardee Mudassir Sheikh, was being deported to Pakistan proved to be false. Police clarified that she was not taken into custody, addressing concerns raised by her family and online videos.

Sheikh, who tragically died in an encounter with militants in May 2022, was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. His mother, Begum, received the award from President Droupadi Murmu in May 2023. The rumors of her deportation caused immense anxiety for her family, especially her son Nasir Maqsood, who emphasized his brother’s sacrifice for the country.

Deportation Drive Continues for Others

However, while Begum’s situation was resolved, the deportation drive continues for other Pakistani nationals residing in J&K. Authorities have transported 59 individuals to Punjab and are set to deport them to Pakistan. One heartbreaking story involves Mudassir Ahmad, whose wife Sumaira was taken away in a bus convoy. He followed the bus with his two-year-old son, highlighting the emotional toll this process takes on families.

Sumaira, who came to Kashmir in 2017 and married Mudassir the same year, claims to have always kept her documents updated. She and her husband claim they have always been in compliance with local authorities, but were still caught in the net of the deportation drive.

Another case involves an elderly couple, Ghulam Qadir and Dilshada, who were taken from their home in Srinagar late at night, leaving behind their belongings and facing an uncertain future in Pakistan.

Call for Compassion

These stories have sparked concern and calls for compassion. Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti urged the Centre to reconsider its approach, emphasizing the humanitarian cost of deporting individuals who have lived peacefully in India for decades and built their lives here.