Anju, a woman whose cross-border romance captured headlines in both India and Pakistan, took a U-turn on previous statements about her five-month stay in Pakistan and her eventual return home.
Her journey began in July 2023, when she crossed the border to Pakistan after striking up a friendship with Nasrullah online. Initially, a 15-day visit was planned, but circumstances took an unexpected turn.
“I didn’t plan to stay in Pakistan and marry Nasrullah,” she said, but circumstances took an unexpected turn, fueled by speculation and commentary from both sides of the border. Feeling overwhelmed, she made the unplanned decision to stay for a few days, which ultimately led to her marriage to Nasrullah.
"Maybe I wouldn't have married Nasrullah if it hadn't been so heavily publicized," Anju confided in an interview. "The negativity from my own family and the comparisons drawn between me and Seema Haider (another woman in a similar situation) created a lot of pressure."
Despite the pressures, Anju insists her time with Nasrullah's family was positive. "There were no restrictions, no dress codes. I never wore a burqa," she clarifies. While adapting to cultural nuances, she found freedom and respect within his household.
Despite the need to be mindful of the local culture, she asserted that there was no external pressure on her and that she had the freedom to choose her clothing, opting for suits rather than a burqa. Anju's journey highlights the intricate intersections of personal choices, societal expectations, and media influence in the context of cross-border relationships.
Ultimately, it was her own desire for normalcy that brought Anju back to India in November. Having navigated the emotional terrain of a whirlwind romance, media frenzy, and cultural adjustments, she sought solace in familiar surroundings.
