Mumbai Police Accused of Forcibly Deporting Bengali Woman to Bangladesh

In a distressing incident that has raised concerns about the treatment of immigrants in India, a 30-year-old Bengali woman named Sahida Fakir has reportedly been deported to Bangladesh by the Mumbai police. On the evening of July 19, Sahida went to a local market in Navi Mumbai to buy groceries for her family, leaving her 10-year-old son at home. However, she did not return, leading to an alarming series of events for her husband, Jumman Fakir.

Shortly after her departure, Jumman received a phone call from the Chembur crime branch of the Mumbai police, informing him that Sahida had been detained on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant. Jumman quickly rushed to the police station, where he found his wife in distress. According to Sahida, police personnel had forcibly taken her to a building where individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants were held, confiscating her groceries, mobile phone, and Aadhaar card in the process.

Jumman expressed frustration over the authorities’ treatment of his wife, claiming that she was detained solely because of her Bengali ethnicity. Despite providing Sahida’s birth certificate and other identification documents, he was told by police officials that this was insufficient proof of her citizenship. They insisted on the birth certificates of Sahida’s parents, a request that highlighted the bureaucratic hurdles faced by many in accessing documentation, especially from earlier generations when such records were not routinely issued.

After four days of persistent attempts to secure her release, Jumman was informed on July 23 that Sahida was no longer at the station. In a shocking twist, police claimed that she had been sent back to Bangladesh, a move that Jumman vehemently protested. He asserted, “You have made a great mistake. She is an Indian. Where will she go? How will she fend for herself?” His pleas illustrate the broader implications of such deportations and the distress they cause to families.

This incident underscores ongoing debates surrounding immigration, citizenship, and the rights of individuals in India, particularly those from minority communities. The notion of illegal immigration has become a contentious issue in the country, often leading to fear and uncertainty among marginalized groups. As the situation unfolds, questions remain about the legal processes involved in such detentions and the safeguards in place to protect citizens from wrongful deportation.

Source: scroll.in