“Nothing Like One’s Own Country,” Says Sunali After Returning From Bangladesh

After nearly six months of legal battles, emotional trauma, and endless uncertainty, Sunali Khatun — the pregnant woman who was deported to Bangladesh earlier this year — finally returned home to West Bengal on Thursday. Her first words after stepping back onto Indian soil were filled with relief:
“There is nothing like one’s own country.”

A Long Journey Back Home

Sunali, a 26-year-old resident of Birbhum district, was living and working in Delhi as a rag-picker with her husband and children when her life changed abruptly. In June, Delhi Police detained her family, claiming they were “illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.”
Despite insisting she was Indian and providing details of her residence in Bengal, Sunali and her 8-year-old son were forcibly deported to Bangladesh — while she was more than nine months pregnant.

In Bangladesh, Sunali was jailed for months under illegal entry charges. Local courts later granted her bail due to her critical condition, but she remained stranded without documents, income, or access to proper medical care.

Her case sparked national outrage in India after human rights groups, lawyers, and political leaders questioned how an Indian citizen could be wrongly deported.

Supreme Court Intervention

In November, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of her case. Hearing the matter urgently, a bench observed that the situation was “deeply concerning” and directed the Central Government to take immediate steps to bring Sunali and her minor son back to India on humanitarian grounds.

Following diplomatic coordination, Sunali and her son were finally escorted to the Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda on December 5, 2025.

An Emotional Welcome in Bengal

As Sunali crossed the border, she was welcomed by family members, local residents, and government officials. The village erupted in emotional scenes — with tricolours waved high as the community celebrated her return.
She was immediately taken to a government hospital for medical examination because of her advanced pregnancy.

Her father and relatives broke down in tears on seeing her, calling it “a moment we prayed for every single day.”

“I Will Never Return to Delhi”

Speaking to the media, Sunali expressed deep gratitude to the Supreme Court and those who fought for her. She also shared her emotional pain:

• “The last six months were like a nightmare.”

• “I never want my children to go through this again.”

• “I will never return to Delhi in my life.”

Despite the trauma, she expressed joy at being home and said she wants her baby to be born in India. According to local reports, she is considering naming her unborn child ‘Deshprem’, meaning love for the nation.

Family Still Stranded

While Sunali and her older son are back, her husband and three other family members remain detained in Bangladesh.
Efforts are now underway to secure their return as well. The West Bengal government has stated that it will work with the Centre to complete their repatriation process.

Political and Social Reactions

Sunali’s return has led to strong political reactions:

• TMC leaders criticized the deportation, calling it a “shameful administrative failure.”

• Human rights activists demanded a detailed inquiry into how an Indian citizen was mistakenly deported.

• Legal experts stressed the need for better verification processes, especially involving vulnerable migrants.

Social media is also flooded with messages praising Sunali’s strength and resilience.

A Story of Pain, Strength, and Hope

Sunali’s case has raised serious questions about identity verification, migrant rights, and cross-border protocols.
But beyond the legal debates, her emotional statement —
“Nothing is like one’s own country” —
captures the pain of displacement and the comfort of homecoming.

For now, Sunali is focused on rebuilding her life, reuniting her family, and preparing to welcome her new baby into the world — on home soil.