“Mera Bharat Mahaan, Meri Madam Mahan”: Hamid Ansari’s mother to Sushma Swaraj during their meeting
Hamid Nehal Ansari (File Photo/Twitter)
A day after his return to country from Pakistan where he was lodged in jail on alleged espionage charges, Hamid Nehal Ansari on Wednesday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He both narrated his ordeal and thanked Swaraj for his release. Hamid returned home after being in jail in Pakistan for six years.
Nehal’s mother Fauzia who was accompanying him, too thanked Swaraj for his son’s return. Fauzia hugged Swaraj while expressing her gratitude. “Mera Bharat Mahaan, meri madam Mahaan. Meri madam ne he kiya hai sab (India is great, my Madam is great. My madam did everything), Fauzia said during her meeting with Sushma Swaraj.
Indian National Hamid Ansari who came to India after being released from a Pakistan jail yesterday, meets External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/J2ecKVuMuh
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2018
#WATCH Indian National Hamid Ansari who came to India after being released from a Pakistan jail yesterday, meets External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi. His mother tells EAM "Mera Bharat mahaan, meri madam mahaan, sab madam ne hi kiya hai." pic.twitter.com/FQEzz99Ohm
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2018
Ansari crossed over to Indian side on Tuesday and was welcomed by his parents, Nehal and Fauzia, who were waiting at the border along with a large contingent of India-Pakistan friendship activists and officials.
After stepping on to the Indian side, the 33-year-old along with his family had knelt down and touched the soil of his motherland with their foreheads.
Pakistan had alleged that Ansari, an engineer, was an “Indian spy” who illegally entered the country. Islamabad accused him of involvement in anti-state crimes, forging documents, and jailed him.
For the family, it was an ordeal since November 2012 when he left the country for Kabul for employment and then was reported “missing”.
He reportedly became friendly with a Pakistan girl on social media and reached Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to save her from a forced marriage.
On November 12, 2012, Ansari crossed over from Afghanistan border in Jalalabad to Peshawar in Pakistan where he was nabbed by Pakistan intelligence.
Later, a military court sentenced him to three years in jail, a term that he completed on December 15.
By EP Web Desk
(With Inputs From IANS)