A protest rally was held near Jadavpur University on Wednesday against the recent eviction of hawkers from the Jadavpur railway station area. Although rain affected attendance, organisers and participants said the turnout remained significant, with a larger mobilisation planned for June 16.
The protest comes days after an overnight eviction drive was carried out at Jadavpur Railway Station on Sunday night i.e June 7. According to reports, railway authorities used bulldozers to remove several stalls and structures built on railway land as part of an anti-encroachment operation. The drive triggered protests at the site, during which at least five people were arrested. Protestors alleged police use of "force during demonstrations".
Wednesday’s mass rally focused on opposition to the manner in which the eviction was conducted. Protestors argued that adequate time was not given to hawkers before the drive and that no proper rehabilitation measures were announced for those who lost their livelihoods.
Speaking to NTT, Nirbhik Saha, a member of SFI, alleged that railway authorities had earlier assured hawkers that they would be given a three weeks notice period and that "no eviction would be carried out until the court delivered its verdict on the matter." However, according to Saha, the demolition drive was conducted before the court’s decision was announced. He further claimed that repeated appeals for the relocation and rehabilitation of the affected hawkers "went unheeded." Saha also alleged that students, workers and local residents who gathered to protest against the eviction were subjected to a police lathi charge, and stated that student leader and General Secretary of Students’ Federation of India Srijan Bhattacharya was among those arrested during the demonstrations.
Sayantani Deb, a student and supporter of SFI, said many people believe the eviction was carried out without sufficient notice or a fair and transparent process. She stated that thousands of families depend on street vending as their primary source of income and argued that eviction without rehabilitation is unjust, as it deprives working class people of their means of livelihood.
Deb also pointed to what she described as unequal enforcement of rules, alleging that complaints regarding other illegal activities often fail to attract similar action, while economically vulnerable sections become easier targets.
Another participant, Riddhi Ganguli of SFI, told NTT that despite the rain, a considerable number of people joined the march and reiterated that the movement against the eviction would continue. According to her, several prominent individuals, including professor Manab Ghosh and members of the theatre community, attended the demonstration and addressed the gathering. Protestors also raised slogans in support of the movement.
The issue of hawker evictions has drawn wider attention in recent days. Protesters and opposition groups have demanded that authorities ensure proper rehabilitation and alternative arrangements for affected vendors before carrying out any large-scale eviction drives.
Organisers of the movement have announced that another protest programme will be held on June 16.
