How Army veteran Mohammad Sanaullah failed the citizenship test. And why it calls for legal remedies to rectify the grave flaws in the system
Mohammad Sanaullah is free, for now. But his mind is not without fear, and his head is not held high.
The 51-year-old had been a fearless and proud soldier for 30 years. He had joined the Army’s Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers in 1987 and served with distinction in Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. He was attached to the Rashtriya Rifles for six years before he retired in 2017 with the rank of honorary lieutenant.
Sanaullah’s world came crashing down on May 28 this year, when the foreigners’ tribunal declared him a Bangladeshi and sent him to a detention camp in Goalpara district. The welcome at the camp was humiliating. He was lodged in a mosquito-infested room with 55 others and was tortured, starved and forced to relieve himself openly.
News of his detention created a huge uproar. The police said it was only following rules and guidelines, and that a case against Sanaullah had been registered at the Boko police station in Kamrup district in 2008. The case was transferred to the Guwahati bench of the foreigners’ tribunal two years later, and the tribunal’s verdict was based on a report submitted by the border branch of the Assam Police.
The public outcry saw Sanaullah case being taken up by the Gauhati High Court. Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising flew to Guwahati to help his team of lawyers. Led by advocate Syed Burhanur Rahman, the lawyers worked for free to secure his bail.
“The situation of most people who have been accused of being Bangladeshis is pathetic,” said Rahman. “They are very poor. How could we charge them?”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict