BJP Protests TMC Bill Allowing Women to Work in Bars; Clashes Erupt in Kolkata

Kolkata: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers staged a protest on Saturday against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government’s recent decision to allow women to work in bars, sparking tensions in the city. The demonstration saw participation from senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, and Roopa Ganguly.

The protest turned heated when clashes broke out between police and BJP workers, with Roopa Ganguly at the forefront of the agitation. Visuals from the scene showed protesters raising slogans, holding placards, and accusing the TMC of implementing policies that could compromise women’s safety.

Agnimitra Paul criticized the bill on social media, stating, “Without robust safety protocols, this move could expose women to greater risks of harassment and violence. Women’s empowerment demands comprehensive safeguards, not just legislative changes.”

The controversial amendment, part of the West Bengal Finance Bill 2025, removes restrictions on women working in ON-category liquor shops, a rule previously seen as discriminatory under the Bengal Excise Act, 1909. The bill, passed on Friday, was defended by the TMC government as a progressive step toward gender equality in employment.

Minister of State Chandrima Bhattacharya argued that the amendment aligns the state’s laws with modern frameworks, removing outdated prohibitions and reflecting evolving social norms. The bill also updates legal references, replacing mentions of the Indian Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

However, the BJP maintains that lifting the prohibition without implementing stringent safety measures could make women more vulnerable to workplace harassment. The protest highlights the growing political divide over social reform measures in West Bengal, as the TMC and BJP continue to clash over gender policies and employment rights.