‘Our own’: Abhishek names Sunali’s newborn son ‘Apon’
Times of India | 7 January 2026
Kolkata: The newborn son of Sunali Khatun was named "Apon" (one's own) by TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday, a day after his birth at Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital.
Banerjee said he named the baby at Sunali's request. "No power on earth can make our own people feel like strangers. BJP tried to make her ‘por' (outsider) by illegally throwing her into Bangladesh. But we brought her back," he said after visiting the hospital.
Banerjee reached Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital at around 5 pm and stayed for nearly half an hour. Sunali's mother accompanied her and the child during Abhishek's visit. He also prented the baby with a necklace. "He (Abhishek Banerjee) told her to stay strong. He commended her strength and courage, while also promising that she will get justice for the sufferings she went through," Sunali's mother, Jyostna Bibi, said.
In a social media post later, Banerjee shared a video of his visit, in which he met Sunali in her hospital bed, handed her a gift bag and met the child. Banerjee also wrote, "In the Mahabharata, the Kauravas met their downfall because of the grave sin of violating Draupadi's dignity out of arrogance. The modern-day Duryodhana-Dushasana duo will face democratic retribution in Bengal for the unspeakable torture, insult, and humiliation inflicted upon a pregnant mother."
Describing his visit to the hospital, Banerjee wrote: "As I looked at the innocent baby, I was reminded of the sacred responsibility we bear as public representatives to defend the rights, honour, and dignity of every citizen, no matter how vulnerable. They belong with us, among us, forever. I pray for the speedy recovery and sound health of both mother and child. I shall visit them again soon to ensure they receive every support they need."
Sunali and her minor son were brought back to India on Dec 6 on the Supreme Court's direction on ‘humanitarian grounds due to her advanced pregnancy'. However, her husband Danish Sk and three others remain in Bangladesh. All six were picked up in Delhi in June, where they worked as ragpickers and deported to Bangladesh. They were later arrested there for being illegal foreigners and sent to jail.
Sunali's mother said that the family has been calling the baby ‘babu'. "Amid the stress, we did not think of a name. Sunali said that either Abhishek Banerjee or Mamata Banerjee should name the child. We are very happy with the name," she said. While the family welcomed the naming of the baby, the absence of his father loomed large.