Both her parents voters, but Sunali still fights ‘B’deshi’ tag

Kolkata: Sunali Khatun's mother Jyotsna Bibi, initially under adjudication, has finally found her name in the voter list. Sunali's father Bhodu Sheikh had been cleared in the Dec 2025 SIR draft list.

On Thursday, Sunali broke into angry tears when she found both her parent's names on the voter list. "I am angry that we were tagged Bangladeshis. We are Indian citizens, yet we had to suffer. I could not give my children new clothes even on Eid. My husband is in Bangladesh, my kids cry for him every day. My father is unwell. We were given date after date. Another date has been set for April 10. When will we get justice?" she asked.


Sunali, her husband Danish Sheikh and their eight-year-old son were picked up during an ‘identity verification drive' in Delhi and produced before KN Katju Marg police station in June last year. Consequently, they were pushed into Bangladesh. The pregnant Sunali and her minor son were brought back to India on Dec 5, 2025, after a Supreme Court order. Danish is still in Bangladesh. So are Sweety Bibi and her two sons — Qurban Sheikh and Imam Dewan.

Sunali also told TOI that she had received a corrected Aadhaar card and, with a neighbour's help, applied for a voter card.

Once, she earned Rs 10,000 a month through her work as a domestic help in Delhi. She has lost her work and her family remains split. "I can't even get my son's birth certificate because the father's details are required," Sunali said.
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