A women’s collective in West Bengal has successfully halted an “arbitrary and illegal” eviction drive planned for Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Kolkata’s Hastings area. The Muktokantha Mahila Samity, through legal notice and persistent protests, has cancelled the eviction, yet apprehension remains among the local residents.
Kolkata has seen a series of eviction drives recently, prompting backlash from residents and social activists alike. This unrest has been especially evident in neighborhoods such as Gariahat and Lake Gardens. In a press release issued on August 22, the women’s collective revealed that police from Hastings Thana had repeatedly visited residents beneath the Hastings bridge since August 19, pressuring them to vacate the location. “On August 21, police personnel informed us that a police van would arrive on August 23 to forcibly remove us and separate us into shelters for men and women,” the statement detailed.
Amid heavy rainfall and the absence of a concrete rehabilitation plan, the collective condemned the impending eviction. Kahkasha Shakil, Vice President of Muktokantha Mahila Samity, emphasized their legal intervention in preventing the drive. “We sent legal notices to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata Police, and the Kolkata Mayor,” she stated. Despite these efforts, Shakil noted police intimidation persisted, with law enforcement stating that illegal activities are frequent in the area, paving the way for the eviction.
Sources at Hastings Police Station confirmed that the eviction scheduled for August 23 has been postponed until further notice. The senior officer declined to elaborate on the reasons for the eviction order. The women’s collective cited the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, highlighting that no eviction can occur without a written show-cause notice, a hearing, and an order from an Estate Officer-none of which has transpired. They stressed that, if displacement is unavoidable, there must be a “transparent, participatory, and humane rehabilitation plan.”
Human rights activist Ranjit Sur, general secretary of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), criticized such eviction drives, stating, “They do this to remove the evidence of poverty from the public eye, but do not have any holistic plans for rehabilitation; eviction without rehabilitation is illegal.”
The ongoing issues reflect broader systemic challenges facing vulnerable populations in urban areas. As Kolkata grapples with frequent eviction drives, the voices of collectives like Muktokantha Mahila Samity become increasingly vital in advocating for the rights and dignity of residents. Their efforts not only highlight the pressing need for humane treatment but also spotlight the necessity for effective, dignified solutions to housing and rehabilitation in the city.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Muktokantha Mahila Samity remains vigilant, prepared to engage with authorities and fight for the rights of those facing displacement in Kolkata.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/protests-by-womens-collective-stop-eviction-drive-under-kolkata-flyover/article69968483.ece
Category : Kolkata
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Publish Date: 2025-08-24 05:23:00
