NEW DELHI: Amid a ceasefire announced between India and Pakistan, the wife of a Border Security Force (BSF) trooper captured by Pakistan last month has raised a poignant plea to the Indian government: “Give me back my sindoor.” Rajani Sau, pregnant and grieving, expressed her anguish over the continued uncertainty surrounding her husband, Purnam Sau’s, fate.
The 34-year-old BSF trooper was detained by Pakistani forces on April 23 after inadvertently crossing the international boundary while assisting farmers in Firozpur, Punjab. His capture followed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, which escalated after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. A photograph released by Pakistan showed Purnam blindfolded, confirming his capture.
Rajani, who last spoke to her husband on the night of April 22, has been waiting for news of his return but has received no updates from the authorities. The family, residing in Rishra, West Bengal, is deeply distressed, with Rajani breaking down at the mere mention of “Operation Sindoor,” the military operation that followed the escalation of hostilities.
In her emotional appeal, Rajani cried out for the return of her “sindoor,” a symbol of her marital status, signifying the gravity of her distress. Purnam’s family has voiced their frustration at the lack of updates despite initial military assurances, with his father, Bhola Sau, and his mother expressing feelings of abandonment.
The incident has united the local community in Rishra, where residents continue to visit the Sau family home, awaiting news of Purnam’s safe return. Political leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Hooghly MP Kalyan Banerjee, have expressed hope for a swift resolution and have raised the issue with BSF commanders.
