Pakistani woman ordered to leave India after 35 years of marriage

Sharada Bai, a Pakistani national, has been ordered to leave India despite living in Odisha for nearly 35 years after marrying Mahesh Kukreja, a resident of Bolangir. The couple has two children and several grandchildren. However, following the recent terror attack in Kashmir, authorities have revoked her visa and instructed her to leave India immediately.

According to Indian media outlet NDTV, if Sharada fails to leave within the specified time, legal action will be taken. Despite having an Indian voter ID and other documents, she was never granted Indian citizenship.

Sharada, tearfully appealing to remain in India, said, “I have no one in Pakistan. My passport is very old. I beg the government and the people of India to let me stay here. I have children and grandchildren. This is my home. I want to live here as an Indian.”

Her plea has touched many, but Bolangir police have stated they are bound by law. The Indian government has recently revoked visas of all Pakistani nationals following the April 22 Pahalgam attack and instructed them to leave the country. Law enforcement has since launched a nationwide crackdown.