Seema Haider, a Pakistani citizen, captured headlines when she entered India without a visa in May to be with her lover, Sachin Meena, whom she had met while playing the online game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) in 2019. Now, in a bid to remain in India along with her four children, she has filed a mercy petition with President Droupadi Murmu, seeking permission to reside in her “matrimonial home” in Greater Noida. The 38-page petition, prepared by her lawyer AP Singh, caught attention for its unusual approach, as it cited examples of Bollywood personalities, love stories, and government slogans to bolster her case, as reported by Indian Express.
The petition highlighted the essence of Indian culture, emphasizing the principle of “live and let live” and referring to the profound concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family). One significant aspect noted in the plea was Seema Haider’s voluntary conversion to Hinduism before her marriage to Sachin Meena in Nepal on March 13, 2023. According to the petition, the wedding was solemnized following Hindu rituals at the revered temple, Bhagwan Pashupati Nath Mandir in Kathmandu.
As an additional argument to support her request, the lawyer pointed to the case of Pakistani singer Adnan Sami, who was granted Indian citizenship in 2016 due to his prolonged stay in the country. The petition also mentioned other notable instances, such as actress Alia Bhatt expressing her inability to cast a vote in India due to the country’s non-provision of dual citizenship and actor Akshay Kumar, who holds Canadian citizenship but has chosen to reside in India for an extended period.
On July 4, Seema Haider was taken into custody by local police for entering India illegally, while Sachin Meena was apprehended for sheltering illegal immigrants. However, both were granted bail on July 7, and they have since been residing together, along with Seema’s four children, in a house in Rabupura, Noida.
The mercy petition comes amidst an ongoing investigation by Noida police into Seema Haider’s unauthorized stay in India. Despite the legal scrutiny, she has expressed her desire to continue living with her partner and children in their “matrimonial home.”
The case has garnered widespread attention, with people expressing varied opinions on social media. While some individuals have shown sympathy towards Seema Haider’s situation, others have called for a “gofundme” campaign to assist her. Bollywood enthusiasts also found the incorporation of Bollywood references in the legal petition quite intriguing.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of Seema Haider and her family in India remains uncertain. The plea to President Droupadi Murmu for a chance to stay in the country continues to be a subject of curiosity and debate among the public.