Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Real Life: Indian Woman Reunited with Family in Emotional Border Reunion After 22 Years in Pakistan
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a heartwarming real-life story akin to the film *Bajrangi Bhaijaan*, Pakistani imam and YouTuber Waliullah Maroof has successfully reunited Hamida Banu, an Indian woman trafficked to Pakistan 22 years ago with her family in India. Maroof, 29, who serves as the imam of a mosque in Karachi's Manghopir, discovered Hamida’s story through social media and embarked on a mission to trace her family ultimately leading to her emotional reunion. Maroof’s efforts began in earnest after he came across a report in media that brought the case to the attention of the Indian government. Hamida’s children and family members who had been waiting for over two decades embraced her with tears of joy near the Wagah border on Monday afternoon marking the end of her long and painful journey.
Indian border officials with Banu and her daughter; (center) Banu speaking on a video call with her nephew, with her daughter standing behind her; (right) Banu together with her sister, Shahida.
Waliullah Maroof, YouTuber and imam in Karachi
Since 2018, Maroof has made it his life’s work to help those trafficked to Pakistan return to their home countries. Inspired by his mother who encouraged him to help a Bangladeshi woman in their neighborhood Maroof began his quest to reunite trafficked individuals with their families. His mission has already led to the reunification of nearly 100 people and Hamida is the first Indian woman he has helped reconnect with her family.
In a conversation with the media, Maroof recalled how his mother scolded him for wasting time on his phone and urged him to help a woman in need. This moment spurred him to start tracing the families of trafficked women starting with several Bangladeshi women. In Hamida’s case, after a video of her story was posted on Maroof’s YouTube channel and Facebook, a breakthrough came in July 2022 when Indian YouTuber Khalfan Shaikh identified Hamida’s family. The Indian Embassy in Pakistan then verified her identity and on November 25, 2023 it confirmed that Hamida’s Indian citizenship had been established. Maroof and Hamida traveled from Karachi to Lahore by flight and then made their way to the Wagah border where Indian authorities took Hamida and reunited her with her long-lost family.
Hamida Banu after crossing over to India
Hamida’s reunion was a deeply emotional moment ending her 22-year ordeal. The embassy covered the cost of her flight while Maroof used his own funds to buy essentials for the journey. "It was a profoundly emotional moment," said Maroof. "After all these years, Hamida was finally going back to her homeland." During the journey, Hamida revealed that she had been trafficked with five other women, three of whom were sold off by the traffickers. Hamida, older than the others was left behind in a hut while the traffickers fled. Maroof also recounted finding another woman Shahnaz from Bangalore living in Karachi’s Pak Colony. Maroof managed to contact Shahnaz’s family but proving her Indian citizenship has been a challenge due to a lack of documentation.
Indian officers at the border process Banu’s documents
Hamida’s sister, Shahida, spoke to the media, expressing the family’s deep gratitude. “We had given up hope but we never believed she was no longer alive. We didn’t know where she was but we prayed for her safety,” she said. “May Allah bless Maroof for finding her and reuniting us.” The family, however, did not have much time to converse with Hamida as Indian officials were completing the formalities. Despite the brief meeting, it marked the long-awaited return of a lost loved one after more than two decades of uncertainty and heartache.
