Newborn opens eyes to find her identity mired in citizenship laws

Though their visas expired on October 7, they are still staying on and have applied for an extension. Sidhu Ram (70), Najo Bai’s father-in-law who hadled the 35-member group of three families with 22 children, said he had informed the village chowkidar about Surjomai’s birth, and her name has been entered in the village register.

The group has arrived from the Layya district under Gazipur division of Pakistan. They alleged that their children are subjected to taunts in school. The family avoids celebrating festivals out in the open to avoid the wrath of fundamentalists. Here in India, the family is staying with Sidhu Ram’s brother Tharu Ram, who migrated to India during Partition.

Rohtak Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Khullar said that Surjomai is very much an Indian citizen as she was born on Indian soil. Unless her parents wanted to take her back to Pakistan, she is entitled to Indian citizenship.

Sidhu Ram and other members of the family are excited over arrival of the new member. They feel this will strengthen their case for staying on in India. After Surjomai’s birth, Sidhu Ram and others offered prayers before an idol of their deity Paboo devta, which they have brought along and installed at a makeshift temple built by them.

Bashir Chand is not aware that he has been blessed with a daughter as he had returned to Pakistan after his visa expired. Sidhu Ram has written to him. Najobai said she is anxiously waiting for her husband to come and see their daughter.

Rohtak SP P.K. Aggrawal has sent their applications for extension of visa to the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Haryana government. All India Bajrang Dal chief Surinder Jain has pleaded their case before Union Home Minister for State I.D. Swami. According to Jain, Swami has assured that the family will be granted Indian citizenship after completion of formalities.

Members of the group are now working as farm labourers in the village, with help from the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Villager Shobha Ram said that Surjomai is now considered the daughter of the entire village. “Surjomai is lucky to be born in India,” says a member of her family. “We love the fragrance of the soil and the feeling of security here.”