A four-month pregnant Indian woman, Sonali Khatun, and five others were allegedly forced across the Bangladesh border by the Indian authorities, reflecting India’s appalling conduct against its own citizens.
On 14 June, seven-year-old Fatema Khatun (not related to Sonali), and her family were detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) after being pushed into Bangladesh by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Panchagarh Sadar border.
A 72-year-old Indian woman, Misma Khatun (unrelated to either of the above), is missing after allegedly being forcibly pushed into Bangladesh by India’s BSF, according to her son.
These are just a few of the hundreds of instances of India’s inhumane treatment of its own citizens, including vulnerable people. The cruel actions of the Indian authorities have drawn widespread criticism and condemnation from human rights organisations.
A recent report by Human Rights Watch, a New York-based global rights body, found that hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims in India had been forced into neighbouring Bangladesh. The report criticised the Indian government’s operations, saying the justification was unconvincing as it disregarded due process rights, domestic guarantees, and international human rights standards.
Ijajul Islam, executive director of the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), condemned the incident as a flagrant violation of human rights and international law.
“Forcing vulnerable people – pregnant women, children, the sick – across borders through unauthorised and dangerous routes is not only inhumane, but also illegal,” he said, stressing the need for immediate government action, particularly in cases involving pregnant women and other vulnerable detainees.
According to BGB data, between 7 May and 15 June, a total of 1,887 individuals, including women, children, and around 100 Rohingya refugees, were pushed into Bangladesh from India. This brings the total number of “push-in” cases this year to over 2,000.
BGB officials told TIMES of Bangladesh that they have filed multiple formal protests with the BSF over these incidents, citing repeated violations of cross-border protocols. BGB has since increased patrols and intelligence surveillance along the affected border areas.
Despite repeated attempts, Ishrat Jahan, director general of the South Asia wing at the foreign ministry, could not be reached for comment.
Sonali Khatun, along with her two family members and three others, were pushed into Bangladesh through the Kurigram border on 26 June. Later, they went to Chapainawabganj and hid their identities until police detained them from a remote area of the district on 20 August. Since then, they have been languishing in Chapainawabganj jail.
Originally from Dhitar village in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Sonali and her four-member family had been living in New Delhi and working at a brick kiln with her husband. Despite possessing valid Indian citizenship documents, including an Aadhaar card, ration card and land papers, she was detained by Indian police on 20 June, accused of being an “illegal Bangladeshi.”
At a briefing in Chapainawabganj, all six victims claimed that no formal verification was conducted by the police during the arrest. Indian police refused to acknowledge their documents or allow them to appeal, arbitrarily branding them undocumented migrants.
Sonali was allegedly transported from Haryana to Assam by air, and then taken by road to the Kurigram border. On 26 June, she and five others, including three children, were reportedly handed over to the BSF, who then released them in a remote forest area inside Bangladesh, disregarding all rules and norms.
Expectant Sonali was forced to trek through forests, cross rivers, and search for shelter while protecting her young son and unborn child. Deprived of medical care, nutrition, and rest, her physical condition deteriorated rapidly. Eventually, the group made their way to Chapainawabganj, where they rented a small house in a remote village, before being arrested by police.
Tragically, Sonali had to leave behind her young daughter, Afreen, who remains with her grandmother in India. Sonali’s family in India has since filed a legal case in a Kolkata court, accusing Indian authorities of wrongful detention and illegal expulsion. A copy of the complaint has reportedly been shared with Bangladeshi authorities.
Confirming the incident, Rezaul Karim, superintendent of police of Chapainawabganj, said that Bangladesh has formally contacted the BSF through the BGB, which sought a flag meeting with its Indian counterpart to resolve the matter and arrange their return.
“If the issue isn’t settled through diplomatic or border-level talks, we will proceed according to Bangladeshi law,” he said.
Sonali remains in Chapainawabganj district jail despite her pregnancy. Jail Superintendent Amjad Hossain told TIMES of Bangladesh, “The six are being held like any other accused persons, as they are named in a case. No further directives have been received about them so far.”
The victims have demanded immediate return to their country to be freed from such homelessness and miserable conditions.
The involuntary deportation of little Fatema, along with her father Azizul Ali Mondal (31), mother Azmira Khatun (25), and brother Ianur Ali Mondal (4), took place early on 14 June near the Rajnibazar area of Panchagarh. They are residents of Habra, Balihati village, West Bengal. After being pushed into Bangladesh, they were detained by BGB personnel with local assistance.
The BGB confirmed the family is being held in a secure location, and arrangements are being made for their return to India through a flag meeting with the BSF. The legal process is ongoing, and the family, including Fatema, will be handed over to Indian authorities once completed.
In a letter to the superintendent of police (Border) in Assam’s Hojai district, Abdul Subhan, son of 72-year-old Misma, appealed for urgent action to rescue his ailing mother, who was taken from their home on 24 May for questioning in connection with a case.
Subhan stated that despite having full Indian citizenship documents and their names listed in past voter rolls, his mother was among 65 people reportedly pushed into Bangladesh. The family believes a land dispute led to false claims that they were Bangladeshis.
After hearing news of the push-in, Subhan and his family immediately approached the BSF camp, submitting all their citizenship documents to prove their identity. Following this, the BSF arranged an informal meeting with the BGB, resulting in the return of several people.
However, Misma Khatun, Subhan’s elderly mother, was not among those brought back to India, and since then, her whereabouts remain unknown.
