West Bengal Minister rebukes homeless woman for heating milk on Kolkata footpath, sparks outrage

West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul was seen reprimanding a homeless woman on a footpath in Kolkata’s Park Street area. File | Photo Credit: ANI Kolkata Since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in West Bengal on May 4, its government has cracked down on roadside dwellers, encroachers, hawkers and slum residents. Against this backdrop, Minister Agnimitra Paul’s recent remarks to a homeless woman heating milk for her child on a Kolkata pavement have sparked outrage and criticism in the State.On Saturday (August 22, 2026) afternoon, Ms. Paul, the Minister-in-Charge for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, was seen reprimanding a homeless woman on a footpath in Kolkata’s Park Street area. The woman was heating milk in a pot to feed her child. “Heating milk for a child on the pavement? In Park Street? Who gave you permission to set up your household here?” Ms. Paul was heard saying. She then asked the woman to remove her belongings from the road in the presence of several Kolkata police personnel. On Monday (August 24, 2026), Trinamool Congress chairperson and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she and her party are willing to take complete responsibility for the homeless family and their child. Ms. Banerjee said poverty is not a crime and urged the current BJP government and its leaders not to “hate the poor.”“Did you not feel ashamed to throw the milk? A mother’s curse is immensely powerful; remember that. I can take responsibility for this family. I can arrange for them to stay at any Trinamool worker‘s home, eat, and educate their children,” Ms. Banerjee said. In interviews with local news organisations, the woman questioned whether anyone would “willingly” live on the roads if they had anywhere better to go. Ms. Paul’s comments have since gone viral, with citizens and politicians criticising her words and several artists responding with satirical cartoons. Since Sunday, social media has been flooded with questions about the State’s responsibility to provide shelter to the homeless. On Monday (August 24), Ms. Paul defended her comments in a video on social media platforms, stating that unless the condition of the footpaths is improved, investors will not come to West Bengal. “Many are crying over what I said, but no one has come forward with a bowl of milk to help this family. Everyone is just busy doing politics,” Ms. Paul said. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also reacted to the controversy and appeared to back her Cabinet colleague. He said Ms. Banerjee is welcome to “ keep the [homeless] woman at her residence”.On Sunday (August 23), Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh met the woman. “Thinking about why the poor have to live on footpaths is the state’s responsibility,” Mr. Ghosh said. Ms. Paul had to face criticism earlier in the week for another remark.On Friday (August 21), while sitting on a relief boat in a flood-affected area in rural West Bengal, Ms. Paul quoted a few words from the National Song Vande Mataram and described the flood-hit parts of West Bengal as “Sujalam Sufalam“ (abundant water and bountiful harvest) and said even though people may face problems, the beauty of the place is unparalleled. Ms. Banerjee criticised this comment and asked, “Are you happy when people lose everything in the floods?” Published - August 24, 2026 09:03 pm IST