Ever since the BJP came to power in 2014, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has used Twitter and other social media platforms to extend the scope of their reach.
In addition to dealing with international issues, Swaraj has always sorted out the problems of many individuals online, without any fuss or fanfare. This time, she has taken up a case of an Indian woman who was allegedly tricked into marrying a Pakistani and is now facing threat to her life for her husband.
The incident came to light when the victim’s father uploaded a YouTube SOS video, seeking help from the Indian authorities. Following the video, Swaraj asked the Indian High Commission to ensure her safety and return to India.
The EAM took to twitter and in a series of tweets, she wrote: “I received a Youtube message from Shri Mohammad Akbar that his daughter Mohammadia Begum, an Indian national was married in Pakistan and was being ill-treated by her in-laws. “Our mission sent a Note Verbale requesting the safety, security and well-being of Mohammadia Begum. Our High Commission officials met Mohammadia Begum and she expressed her desire to return to India.”
I received a Youtube message from Shri Mohammad Akbar that his daughter Mohammadia Begum an, Indian national was married in Pakistan
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 20, 2017
and was being ill-treated by her inlaws Our mission sent a Note Verbale requesting the safety, security and well-being of Mohammadia Begum.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 20, 2017
Our High Commission officials met Mohammadia Begum and she expressed her desire to return to India.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 20, 2017
According to reports, the case is much more complicated as the victim’s passport had expired last year. However, Sushma Swaraj has directed the Indian High Commission to renew her passport immediately and facilitate her return to India.
The victim’s ‘nikaah’ was performed over telephone through some agent and she joined her husband, a mechanic, in Muscat. After 12 years of marriage, she got a shock when she came to know that her husband was a Pakistani. Mohammedi Begum had visited Hyderabad in 2012. Her father said this was her only visit to India in 21 years.
The victim has five children- three sons and two daughters. The youngest son is nine-year-old and he was born in Pakistan while the other children were born in Muscat, Oman.
