Agnimitra Paul Defends Removal of Pavement-Dwelling Family on Park Street

Kolkata: West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul on Monday defended her on-camera drive to remove a footpath-dwelling family from the pavement on Park Street in Kolkata, accusing critics of trying to thwart municipal efforts to clear city walkways.

Paul faced criticism over the weekend after posting a video of the incident on Facebook on Saturday. In the footage, Paul, accompanied by police and media personnel, confronted an elderly woman cooking on the footpath. When the woman explained that she was boiling milk for her grandchild, Paul removed some of the family's belongings and questioned whether the pavement was a place to set up a home.

Responding to the backlash, Paul stated on Monday that the controversy had wrongly focused on the milk rather than the broader issue of encroachment and the safety risk of an open stove near moving vehicular traffic. Paul had previously conducted similar inspections targeting unorganised markets, commercial establishments with inadequate fire-safety measures, and unregulated parking.

The incident drew condemnation from political opponents, cultural activists, and actors, including Sreelekha Mitra and Riddhi Sen, as well as poet Srijato, who criticised the lack of a humane approach.

On Sunday, Opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Kunal Ghosh visited Park Street to meet the woman, her daughter, and the child. The family told Ghosh that their husbands had abandoned them and that police had threatened forcible eviction. Ghosh then approached the nearest police station to request that the family not be displaced before shelter was secured.

TMC chairperson and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Monday that her party would provide shelter, food, and education arrangements for the family.

The CPM-affiliated All-India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) also condemned the incident, with state president Jahanara Khan and state secretary Monalisa Sinha demanding a public apology from the minister.