The last ever Jewish family in the state renounced their Indian citizenship on Thursday. After having fled the holocaust in Europe, they had settled in Tamil Nadu. They have now relinquished their citizenship because of a recent attack on them by goons hired by the son of a police officer over a property row.
Davvid Levi, a 42 year old merchant navy engineer, had rented out their property Besant Nagar to the son of an IPS officer and a son of a politician to run a catering unit. However, Levi had asked them to clear the premises following reports of unsavoury incidents. This led to constant threats and culminated in an attack by goons.
A video of the attack had gone viral among the Jewish community who asked him to pack his bags and leave.
He has now taken up German citizenship with his family of nine and is in the final leg of finishing legal formalities to leave.
“Nine of us renounced our Indian passports and took citizenship of other countries. I hope to leave in a month’s time,” said Levi was quoted saying in DT Next. “Annadurai and a few relatives were neighbours. They stayed in the same building when the DMK was formed at 7, Coral Merchant Street. Both the DMK and AIADMK were close to us. My daughters were named by Jayalalithaa madam,” recalled Levi. “My mother Sarah still hopes to return here so she can be laid to rest alongside her ancestors.” Notably, his family was responsible for setting up the biggest synagogue in the city.