Sunali Fights ‘Bangladeshi’ Tag Amid Ongoing Legal Battle
Citizenship Claims Supported by Parents’ Voter Registration
Kolkata: Sunali Khatun, a 26-year-old woman from Bengal, has been at the center of a legal dispute concerning her citizenship status after being labeled an “illegal immigrant” and sent to Bangladesh last year. The situation is further complicated by the status of her parents, whose names are listed in the voters’ registry, bolstering her claims of Indian citizenship as legal proceedings continue for her husband and other family members.
Sunali’s mother, Jyotsna Bibi, initially found herself among those categorized as “under adjudication” but later secured her place in the electoral roll. Her father, Bhodu Sheikh, was confirmed in the draft list released in December 2025. This update gives Sunali hope regarding her own citizenship status, as it signifies her familial ties to India.
Emotional Impact of the Situation
Sunali expressed her emotions upon discovering her parents’ names on the voters’ list, which dated back to the reference year of 2002. This discovery brought her to tears as she reflected on the struggles her family has faced. While she has applied for her own inclusion in the voter registry, she has yet to be registered as a voter herself.
In her emotional statement, Sunali shared her frustrations about being labeled as a Bangladeshi. “I’m angry that we were tagged Bangladeshis. We are Indian citizens. Yet, we had to suffer,” she said. She highlighted the struggles of her daily life, mentioning her inability to afford new clothes for her children during Eid celebrations. Additionally, she lamented her husband’s absence in Bangladesh, saying her children miss him profoundly. Furthermore, she pointed out that her father’s health has deteriorated, leaving him unable to work.
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Citizenship Claims Supported by Parents’ Voter RegistrationKolkata: Sunali Khatun, a 26-year-old woman from Bengal, has been at the center of a legal dispute concerning her citizenship status after being labeled an “illegal immigrant” and sent to Bangladesh last year. The situation is further complicated by the status of her parents, whose names are listed in the voters’ registry, bolstering her claims of Indian citizenship as legal proceedings continue for her husband and other family members.Sunali’s mother, Jyotsna Bibi, initially found herself among those categorized as “under adjudication” but later secured her place in the electoral roll. Her father, Bhodu Sheikh, was confirmed in the draft list released in December 2025. This update gives Sunali hope regarding her own citizenship status, as it signifies her familial ties to India.Emotional Impact of the SituationSunali expressed her emotions upon discovering her parents’ names on the voters’ list, which dated back to the reference year of 2002. This discovery brought her to tears as she reflected on the struggles her family has faced. While she has applied for her own inclusion in the voter registry, she has yet to be registered as a voter herself.In her emotional statement, Sunali shared her frustrations about being labeled as a Bangladeshi. “I’m angry that we were tagged Bangladeshis. We are Indian citizens. Yet, we had to suffer,” she said. She highlighted the struggles of her daily life, mentioning her inability to afford new clothes for her children during Eid celebrations. Additionally, she lamented her husband’s absence in Bangladesh, saying her children miss him profoundly. Furthermore, she pointed out that her father’s health has deteriorated, leaving him unable to work.
