Born Here, Thrown Out: Bengali Muslim Families Face Forced Evictions in Kolkata’s Rajabazar

Kolkata: Tensions are escalating in Kolkata’s Rajabazar after police-led evictions left dozens of families, including many school-going children, homeless and exposed to the elements. Students like Muhammad Farhan, Rosy Khatun, and Ayesha Khatun—who study at Mitra Institution—now struggle to attend classes while living under makeshift roofs, their books and uniforms buried under rubble. Their homes, small huts built along the roadside near 299 Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, were demolished by Amherst Street Police on May 9, leaving their families without shelter or support.

“This is no way to treat children,” said Shehzadi Bibi, one of the evicted residents. “We are poor, but we tried to educate our kids. Now they are studying on pavements.” Her voice trembled as she pointed to the shattered remains of her home. “This shack was everything. We have nowhere else to go.”

The affected families, all Bengali Muslims, say they have been living in the area for over 50 to 60 years. They allege that the police arrived without notice or legal paperwork, demolished three huts, and warned of legal action if they did not vacate. “These are not illegal encroachments by outsiders,” said Sheikh Rahim, another resident. “We were born here. We have voter cards going back decades. Yet they treat us like we don’t exist.”

The residents include cart-pullers, shoe shop workers, and daily wage earners—people whose incomes barely cover food and education, let alone alternative housing. Despite their hardships, many have enrolled their children in local schools. Now, with their homes razed, even basic schooling hangs in the balance.

Repeated attempts to contact police officials for comment have gone unanswered. Residents also say that their appeals to the local councillor and the MLA of Ward 36 have fallen on deaf ears. “No one has come to speak with us. Not a single official,” said Rahim.

In response, a formal complaint has been submitted to the West Bengal State Minorities Commission. “Save the people of the Bengali Muslim community from persecution and eviction,” the letter pleads. Civic rights group Bhumi (Bhumiputra Unnayan Morcha of India) has condemned the evictions. “These are Indian citizens who’ve lived here for generations,” said Imraz Sheikh, a representative of the group. “If eviction is necessary, where is the rehabilitation plan? Why this cruelty?”

They also informed BHUMI that “women were subjected to lewd stares when they returned after bathing, along with threats of false legal cases being filed in their husbands’ names. Meanwhile, liquor and drug dens were set up near the slum area.”

Some have alleged that outsiders—specifically non-Bengali goons—have established these drug and liquor dens.

However, when residents complained to the police, instead of taking action, the police began evicting them from their decades-old homes.

Ahmed Hasan Imran, Chairman of the West Bengal State Minorities Commission, confirmed receipt of the complaint. “I shall be forwarding the same to the concerned authorities and Nabanna so that they get State intervention in their plight on humanitarian grounds,” he said. He added that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is known for her humane approach, and he hopes suitable alternatives will be arranged.

The episode has reignited a larger debate about the rights of long-established slum communities in rapidly urbanising cities like Kolkata. Critics argue that unchecked eviction drives in the name of development are displacing vulnerable populations without due process or rehabilitation. For the families of Rajabazar, the issue is not just legal—it’s existential.

“Where do we go now?” asked Shehzadi Bibi. “We didn’t ask for palaces. We just want our children to be safe, to study, and to live with dignity.”