Kolkata: West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul has faced criticism after a video showed her admonishing a homeless woman who was warming milk for a child on a pavement in Kolkata.
Woman says she was warming milk
Paul was on an inspection drive in the Park Street area on Saturday when she reportedly noticed a woman heating milk on a stove on the pavement.
When Paul questioned her about cooking on the street, the woman clarified that she was not cooking food but only warming milk for the child.
The child was seen crawling nearby as the exchange took place.
Video triggers strong reaction
The incident was recorded and subsequently circulated on social media, drawing criticism over the manner in which the woman was addressed.
The episode has also sparked discussion about the challenges faced by homeless families living in public spaces and the need to balance civic regulations with basic needs.
Paul, who oversees the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs portfolios, has defended her intervention, citing concerns over safety and the use of a stove on a busy pavement.
The incident has since triggered a wider debate over street-side living, pedestrian access and how civic authorities should respond to vulnerable families using public spaces.