Bombay High Court reprimands Yemeni refugee Khaled Hussain

• Go to Pakistan or Gulf countries

• Lived in Pune for the last 10 years

Mumbai – “Don’t take advantage of India’s liberal policy. Go to Pakistan or Gulf countries. You can go to 129 countries of the world. Why do you want to go to Australia ?” the Bombay High Court asked Khaled Hussain, a Yemeni citizen and refugee living in Pune for 10 years with his family.

The Pune Police Administration issued a notice to Hussain to leave the country as his stay had expired. However, Hussain filed a petition against this notice in the Bombay High Court. During the hearing, the Court reprimanded him with the above words.

“I will be going to Australia soon. The process for the visa there is ongoing. Until then, let me stay in India. A child of a foreign couple gets Indian citizenship after being born here, but why are our children not given citizenship here ?” argued Hussain.

Public advocate Sandesh Patil strongly opposed this petition and said, “Hussain has been living in India for many years; but as a refugee, he cannot stay in India now as per the rules. His family is also living in India illegally, so his children cannot be granted citizenship here.” (If so, why didn’t the police take action already ? Action should be taken against the police officers responsible for this! – Editor)

What is the matter ?

Civil war started in Yemen in 2014-15. At that time, many citizens left the country and went to other countries. Khaled Hussain’s wife came to India for her sister’s cancer treatment and obtained a visa for that purpose. Hussain then came to India to study and also obtained a visa. Due to the war, Hussain’s family continued to stay in India and eventually received refugee status. During their stay, they had a son and a daughter. However, after the Pune police issued a notice for them to leave the country, Hussain filed a petition in court against the order.