A young Indian woman's desperate cry for help has captured national attention after a viral video revealed her alleged suffering at the hands of her American foster parents. Twenty-one-year-old Puja, also known as Sejal, has made an emotional appeal to the Indian government, specifically requesting Odisha Chief Minister's intervention to bring her back home from the United States.
Allegations of Torture and Forced Conversion
In the heartbreaking video that has circulated widely across social media platforms, Puja detailed multiple forms of abuse she claims to have endured since her adoption in 2018 when she was just 14 years old. Her visa expired in 2023, leaving her without legal protection in the foreign country.
The young woman alleged that her foster mother forces her to perform extensive household chores after school hours and even attempted to kill her. More disturbingly, Puja claimed she is being pressured to abandon her Hindu faith against her will. "I am a Hindu but my foster mother is forcing me to change my faith," she revealed in the video.
Financial Exploitation and Lost Earnings
Puja's troubles extend beyond physical and emotional abuse to significant financial exploitation. She disclosed that during her holidays, she managed to earn Rs 10 lakh through work, but her foster mother confiscated the entire amount. This financial setback has left the now-adult woman with no means to independently arrange her return to India.
Her situation is particularly tragic given her background. Reports indicate that Puja went missing on a train during her childhood and was eventually rescued by an NGO before being adopted.
Longing for Home and Biological Parents
Puja fondly recalled her happier times in India, specifically mentioning her education at a hostel in Bhubaneswar. "I was staying and studying at a hostel in Bhubaneswar and was very happy. Since I came to America, I am not happy at all," she emotionally stated in her appeal.
The young woman's ultimate desire is not only to return to her home state of Odisha but also to reunite with her biological parents. "I humbly request the Odisha Chief Minister to bring me back home. I am tortured a lot here. I want to return to Odisha and find my real parents," she pleaded.
While the identity of her foster parents remains officially unconfirmed, photographs purportedly showing them have been circulating on social media, adding to the public outrage surrounding the case. The Indian community both domestically and internationally awaits official action to address this humanitarian crisis.
