In a heartening turn of events, Sunali Khatun, the pregnant woman whose wrongful deportation to Bangladesh sparked national outrage and a Supreme Court intervention, has given birth to a healthy baby boy. The delivery took place at the Rampurhat Medical College in West Bengal's Birbhum district, marking a moment of profound joy following a period of immense hardship.
A Triumph Amidst Injustice: Political Leader Hails Mother's Courage
Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP, Abhishek Banerjee, expressed deep emotion upon learning the news. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Banerjee stated he was "deeply moved and genuinely heartened" by the birth. He framed the happy occasion against the backdrop of the severe injustice Khatun endured.
Banerjee, who is also the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, strongly criticized the actions leading to her deportation. "In a shocking abuse of power, she was falsely branded as a Bangladeshi and forcibly deported to Bangladesh by the Delhi Police and the Union government," he wrote. He emphasized that her ordeal represented a grave "violation of dignity" that no citizen, especially a pregnant woman, should ever face, praising her "extraordinary courage" and resolve.
The MP announced that he would personally visit Sunali Khatun at the hospital in Birbhum to convey his best wishes to her and her newborn son. "This is a triumph of humanity," he posted, adding that his prayers were with her family.
The Supreme Court's Humanitarian Intervention
Sunali Khatun's journey back to India was facilitated by the highest court in the land. On December 5 last year, following the Supreme Court's directions, she and her eight-year-old son were repatriated from Bangladesh on "humanitarian grounds." The court had taken cognizance of her advanced stage of pregnancy and the plight of her young child.
The apex court had specifically directed the Centre to ensure she received free medical treatment for her pregnancy and to take care of her son. This judicial order was crucial in reversing the earlier action where she was deported on suspicion of being a Bangladeshi national, a claim she has consistently denied.
Relief, Gratitude, and a Plea for Family Reunion
After her return to India, Sunali Khatun had expressed immense relief and gratitude. However, her family remains separated. She has appealed for her husband to be brought back to India as well, hoping for a complete reunion. Throughout the ordeal, Khatun has maintained her Indian citizenship, asserting that she is the daughter of Bhodu Sheikh, an Indian citizen.
The birth of her baby boy brings a ray of hope and normalcy to a life upended by bureaucratic error and alleged high-handedness. The case continues to highlight critical issues concerning citizenship, human rights, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals within the system.
