Mamata Banerjee's Assembly Speech References Sunali Khatun as Aadhaar Hearing Unfolds Nearby
On Thursday afternoon, a striking coincidence unfolded in Kolkata as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a fiery speech in the state Assembly, while Sunali Khatun, the woman she referenced, was just a kilometer away dealing with a bureaucratic ordeal.
Political Accusations and Personal Struggles Intersect
While addressing the Assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a strong critique against the BJP and central forces, accusing them of harassing individuals for speaking Bengali. In her remarks, she highlighted the case of Sunali Khatun, stating, "they did not even spare a pregnant woman". This reference came as Sunali, who was pushed into Bangladesh in June 2025 and returned in December last year following Supreme Court orders, was attending a hearing for her Aadhaar deactivation at Telephone Bhavan.
Sunali Khatun's Documentation Battle with UIDAI
Sunali Khatun received a hearing notice from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on January 15, which she acknowledged on January 27. The notice explicitly stated: "Your Aadhaar enrolment was carried out without valid supporting documents." To verify the authenticity of her records, authorities demanded proof of identity, address, relationship, and date of birth.
Despite her efforts, Sunali faced significant hurdles. She explained, "Officials asked for documents like a birth certificate and voter card, which I lacked." However, she presented alternative documents including her Aadhaar and PAN cards, bank passbook, Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) of her parents, and even the 2002 SIR list featuring her parents' names. She expressed frustration, feeling unnecessarily harassed, and noted, "I even showed them the deed to my family's land, but they refused to accept it."
Postpartum Challenges and Political Support
The timing of the hearing added to Sunali's difficulties. Having given birth on January 5, she pleaded for additional time to travel from Paikar in Birbhum to Kolkata, citing the challenges of postpartum recovery. Her situation garnered political attention when Trinamool Congress MP and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee visited her on January 6 at Rampurhat Hospital, naming her newborn son "Apon".
Upon learning that the Chief Minister had mentioned her during the Assembly session, Sunali expressed eagerness to meet Mamata Banerjee, asking, "Can I meet her now in the Assembly?" This moment underscored the personal impact of political narratives on individuals facing administrative issues.
Legal Proceedings and Future Steps
After the hearing, Sunali, accompanied by her son Apon, daughter Afrin, and local social worker Soyef, proceeded to the chamber of her lawyer, Raghunath Chakraborty. They discussed her pending legal matter, which is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court on February 18. Sunali also mentioned submitting copies of an affidavit from the sub-divisional executive magistrate, with authorities promising a response within a fortnight.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between state and central authorities in West Bengal, while shedding light on the bureaucratic challenges faced by individuals like Sunali Khatun in proving their identity and citizenship amidst political discourse.
