Nothing like one’s own country, says Sunali after returning from Bangladesh

A large crowd welcomed Sunali Khatun with flowers as she returned to her ancestral house in Birbhum’s Paikar in West Bengal on Saturday (December 6, 2025), nearly five months after she was ‘forced’ into Bangladesh. 

“There is nothing like one’s own country,” said nine-month-pregnant Sunali as she was taken to Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital following a brief stay at home. Sunali had entered India from Malda border on Friday evening and reached Paikar on Saturday.  

“The police did not torture us there (in Bangladesh),” Ms. Khatun told journalists, adding that the Delhi police had “tortured her” and even the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel she pleaded with did not listen to her. 

Ms. Khatun and her child were among a group of six migrants from two families detained by the Delhi Police in June on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. The remaining four members of the group, all residents of Birbhum district in West Bengal, are also expected to return soon as the Supreme Court has ordered their repatriation as well. 

Samirul Islam, the Trinamool Congress MP and Chairperson of West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board, met Sunali and said her return “marked the first phase of our legal battle against the ‘Bangla-Birodhi zamindars’; the second phase of the struggle awaits Sweety Biwi and her two minor sons, who are still in the neighbouring country”. 

“Today, I met Sweety’s family members in Murarai along with one of her minor sons. Although they are happy about Sunali’s return, their tears have not been wiped away because Sweety herself has not yet returned. Sunali’s husband is also with them and continues to wait for repatriation,” he said. 

On Saturday, the Trinamool Congress leadership held a press conference and stated that the Calcutta High Court said, in clear and unambiguous terms, that “the Centre acted in hot haste and violated due process.” 

“The only reason Sunali Khatun is back is because the West Bengal government fought for her. It was the West Bengal Migrant Labour Welfare Board that stood by the family, filed habeas corpus petitions, and ensured justice. Bengal protected its people while the Centre tried to destroy their dignity. The message is clear: Bengal will not bow down to politically motivated harassment,” a press statement from the party said. 

On September 26 , the High Court had directed the repatriation of the six people from two families. A Division Bench comprising Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Reetobrata Mitra gave this direction while deciding two writ petitions filed by Mr. Sheikh and Amir Khan. 

On December 3, the Union government agreed to bring Ms. Khatun and her minor son back from Bangladesh on “humanitarian grounds” after the Apex Court’s intervention. 

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi acquiesced to a request made by the woman’s father, Bhodu Sekh, represented by senior advocate Sanjay R. Hegde, to bring the mother and child back home in Birbhum.