West Bengal CM Pledges Caution in Handling Undocumented Immigrants After Khatun Incident

In a recent statement, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assured that the state government will adopt a cautious approach in identifying undocumented immigrants, aiming to prevent incidents similar to the controversial Sunali Khatun case. This comes after a significant backlash regarding the handling of undocumented immigrants, particularly in the wake of Khatun’s forced return to Bangladesh last year.

Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman from Birbhum, along with her eight-year-old son, was expelled to Bangladesh by Indian authorities under allegations of being undocumented immigrants. This incident raised considerable concern among human rights activists and the public alike, leading to a Supreme Court intervention. On December 5, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to consider Khatun’s advanced pregnancy, ultimately facilitating her return to India on humanitarian grounds, despite the government’s insistence on maintaining its legal stance.

Addressing the press, Adhikari emphasized that while the state will not permit undocumented immigrants to remain in West Bengal, it will handle such cases with greater sensitivity than previous administrations. He assured that all Indian citizens would be treated fairly and would not face undue hardship. The Chief Minister’s comments reflect a shift in policy, indicating that the state government aims to balance immigration enforcement with humanitarian considerations.

Adhikari’s remarks come in the wake of reports indicating that approximately 4,800 individuals from Bangladesh are currently considered undocumented immigrants in West Bengal, many of whom may not qualify for Indian citizenship. The handling of these cases has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that aggressive deportation policies can lead to human rights violations.

As the state grapples with the complexities surrounding undocumented immigration, Chief Minister Adhikari’s commitment to a more careful and humane approach may signal a new chapter in West Bengal’s immigration policy. Observers will be watching closely to see how these policies are implemented and whether they will indeed lead to a reduction in instances of forced deportation.

Source: scroll.in