Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly marked India's Republic Day with a poignant and deeply personal social media post directed at her three sons, using the occasion to reinforce their cultural heritage while publicly addressing her ongoing marital and custody struggles with estranged husband Peter Haag. In a lengthy note shared online, Jaitly expressed profound emotional distress over being unable to contact her children despite existing joint custody arrangements and a standing order from the Austrian Family Court.
A Mother's Heartfelt Republic Day Letter
Jaitly revealed she has been systematically denied access to her sons and chose Republic Day to compose what she described as a heartfelt letter, hoping they might eventually read it and maintain a connection to their Indian identity. The actor specifically referenced their cherished family tradition of watching the Republic Day parade together, lamenting the painful absence of that shared experience this year. She recounted memories of teaching her boys to stand respectfully during the national anthem and to cheer enthusiastically for Indian Army regiments with which her family has deep historical ties.
Military Legacy and Family Heritage
The Jaitly family boasts a distinguished military background, including her brother Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in Abu Dhabi since September of last year. Celina Jaitly has consistently utilized her social media platforms to advocate for soldiers and their families, and her Republic Day communication was richly infused with references to this proud lineage. She implored her sons never to forget they are "half-Indian" and belong to what she characterized as a bloodline defined by honor, courage, and sacrifice.
The Anguish of Separation and Legal Battles
Jaitly openly discussed the severe emotional toll of being separated from her children, expressing a fragile hope that someone close to them might help deliver her message. "Do not let your Indian identity be erased," she wrote emphatically, stressing the critical importance of cultural roots and familial history. She portrayed the unique agony of a mother alienated from her offspring, stating that this public written appeal represented her sole remaining avenue to reach them.
Background of the Bitter Divorce and Custody Dispute
This emotional public message unfolds against the backdrop of an acrimonious divorce and custody conflict between Jaitly and Haag. The actor has formally approached the court seeking monthly maintenance of ₹10 lakh and has also requested legal restrictions on Haag's access to her Mumbai residence. She is pursuing custody of their three surviving children, who currently reside with their father in Austria, and has claimed ₹50 crore in compensation for alleged loss of earnings during the marriage.
Allegations of Control and Financial Dependence
In her legal petition, Jaitly has accused Haag of exhibiting controlling behavior, alleging that he prevented her from pursuing acting roles after the birth of their children, thereby depriving her of financial autonomy. The couple entered matrimony in 2010 and welcomed twin boys in 2012. In 2017, Jaitly gave birth to another set of twins; tragically, one of the infants passed away due to a congenital heart condition, adding a layer of profound personal loss to the current familial strife.
