Seema Haider, a Pakistani national who entered India illegally last year, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to allow her to continue living in India. In a video circulating on social media platforms, Seema pleaded for permission to stay, asserting that while she was once a “daughter of Pakistan,†she is now a “daughter-in-law of India.â€
Her emotional appeal comes in the wake of a major decision by the Indian government following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 Indian tourists were killed. In response, India revoked the SAARC visa exemption facility for Pakistani nationals. Under the new directive, Pakistani citizens currently availing the visa relaxation must leave India within a week, reigniting calls for Seema Haider’s deportation.
In the video, Seema is heard saying, “I do not want to return to Pakistan. I appeal to Modi ji and Yogi ji to grant me refuge. I was once a daughter of Pakistan, but now I am a daughter-in-law of India. Please let me stay here.†She also claimed that after marrying Sachin Meena, a resident of Greater Noida, she converted to Hinduism. Seema Haider’s story had earlier made national headlines, dominating social media and news channels. She had met Sachin Meena while playing the online game PUBG, and their virtual friendship blossomed into love. In a daring move, Seema crossed over into India via Nepal with her four children to be with Sachin. The couple currently resides in Noida and recently welcomed a child together.
Despite widespread political opposition to her stay, Seema’s lawyer, AP Singh, expressed hope that she would be allowed to remain in India. Singh asserted that Seema should no longer be considered a Pakistani citizen. “Seema is no longer a citizen of Pakistan.
She married an Indian citizen, Sachin Meena, and recently gave birth to their daughter, Bharti Meena. Her citizenship should now be tied to her Indian husband, and therefore the new government directive should not apply to her,†Singh said. Singh further stated that Seema was deeply distressed upon learning about the Pahalgam attack and strongly condemned the incident. “Seema has wholeheartedly adopted Sanatan Dharma. She married Sachin in Nepal and later in India according to traditional Hindu customs. After her marriage, she gave birth to a daughter last month,†he said, praising the government’s move to suspend the SAARC visa exemption as a “commendable decision against terrorism.†Highlighting Seema’s compliance with legal procedures, Singh added that all her documents are with the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other Indian authorities. A petition seeking her asylum is currently pending before the President of India. “During her bail period, Seema has scrupulously followed all court orders and continues to reside with her husband’s family in Rabupura, Greater Noida,†he said.
Singh emphasised that Seema has full faith in the Indian legal system and will continue abiding by all government and court directives.
