A Police Notice, 'Embedded Journalists', Social Media Hate, And the Agony Of Hamsa After A Deportation Notice
The 77-year-old Quilandy resident, Hamsa, who recently found himself in headlines on account of the deportation issue, is now grappling with social media harassment following widespread coverage of his case, including reports by Mathrubhumi and other major media outlets, a close relative told Timeline. Reportedly, all the media coverage and the negative social media comments started right after the police reached Hamsa’s house with the notice annd embedded with journalists from Mathrubhumi.
”Mathrubhumi people came along with the Police in the first time. We never thought that Hamsa would be in the limelight like that,” a person close to the family said.
The media attention has resulted in a wave of negative comments and online criticism, which has had a significant impact on Hamsa’s mental well-being.
Earlier this week, Hamsa, along with two other residents of Kozhikode, received a deportation notice demanding that they leave India by April 27 due to an alleged lack of valid documents.
Also, read| Exclusive: Deportation Notice To Pakistan Withdrawn For Kozhikode Resident Hamsa
However, after backlash and high-level intervention, the notice was officially withdrawn, much to the relief of Hamsa and his family.
While the withdrawal of the notice was a moment of relief, Hamsa’s family now faces the additional burden of dealing with the negative publicity surrounding the case.
According to a close relative, Hamsa, who suffers from heart conditions and age-related health issues, has been deeply affected by the hate and harsh comments spreading online. The relative told Timeline that Hamsa does not want to be in the news and has been avoiding media interviews.
When Mathrubhumi covered the news, it led to a surge of negative comments, with many commenting and urging the authorities to deport him, which caused significant distress to Hamsa.
“He is under immense stress because of the negative comments on social media. He refuses to participate in interviews or engage with reporters as he simply wants to be left alone in peace,” the family member explained.
Hamsa’s case has drawn significant attention due to his long-standing ties to India and his struggles with legal documentation.
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Born in Kerala, Hamsa moved to Pakistan for work before the partition of Bangladesh and returned to India during the Emergency period.
He has been residing in India on a temporary visa and has repeatedly applied for Indian citizenship since 2007, but has yet to receive official documentation.
The Pakistani passport he once held was taken by the police, and he currently has no passport or support system in Pakistan.
The family has also expressed their intention to seek a permanent resolution regarding his citizenship status through legal means, including approaching the Kerala High Court.
The relative has made a heartfelt appeal to the public, urging them to respect Hamsa’s privacy and stop the spread of negativity. “We kindly ask for some peace during this difficult time. He just wants to live in peace, away from the spotlight,” the family member told Timeline.
