Kolkata, 27 August (H.S.): A serious allegation of cross-border “pushback” has surfaced after six residents of West Bengal’s Birbhum district — including a pregnant woman and two minors — were reportedly sent to Bangladesh from Delhi and later arrested by Bangladeshi authorities. Families allege that despite possessing valid documents, they were deported simply for speaking in Bengali.

According to sources, police in Chapai Nawabganj, Bangladesh, apprehended the group last Thursday and produced them before a court, which remanded them to jail. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September. Bangladeshi police have stated that an investigation is underway on charges of “illegal entry.”

Those detained include Sonali Bibi of Paikar village in Murarai, her husband Danish Sheikh, and their eight-year-old son Sabbir. Also among them are Sweety Bibi of Dhitara village and her two children, Qurban Sheikh and six-year-old Imam Dewan. Both families had been living in Delhi’s Rohini area for years, working as ragpickers.

Sonali Bibi’s mother, Jyotsna Bibi, made an emotional appeal: “I request Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to bring my pregnant daughter home safely. Delhi Police detained them only because they spoke Bengali and then sent them to Bangladesh.” Sonali’s father, Bhudu Sheikh, claimed the family had all valid documents and had been residing in India for generations.

The incident has left the families devastated, with relatives moving court to seek justice. They fear their loved ones could remain trapped in Bangladeshi prisons for a prolonged period.

Samirul Islam, Rajya Sabha MP and Chairperson of the State Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board, confirmed that the matter has been brought to the notice of the Calcutta High Court and a petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court. He added that efforts are underway to arrange legal assistance for the detainees in Bangladeshi courts as well.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh