Mamata Banerjee, chairperson of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led a protest march by hawkers in Dharmatala on Wednesday [1].

The demonstration highlights a growing conflict between urban administration and street vendors over the legality of demolition drives in Kolkata. Because hawking serves as a primary source of income for thousands of residents, these evictions threaten the economic stability of a significant urban population.

Banerjee, the former West Bengal chief minister, joined the march to oppose what organizers describe as an illegal eviction drive [1], [2]. The movement focuses on the demolition of stalls and the removal of vendors from the Dharmatala area, which is a central commercial hub in the city [1], [2].

The protest witnessed participation from hundreds of demonstrators [1]. These participants marched through the streets of Kolkata to demand protections for their livelihoods, and to challenge the authority of the current eviction efforts [1], [2].

Earlier this month, reports indicated that the sit-in and protests were planned despite a lack of formal police authorization [3]. This underscores the tension between the TMC leadership and law enforcement regarding the use of public spaces for political demonstrations.

The hawkers involved in the protest said the demolition drives are targeting their means of survival without providing adequate alternatives or legal recourse [2], [3]. By leading the march, Banerjee aligns the TMC party with the interests of the informal labor sector in West Bengal.

“Mamata Banerjee joined the march to oppose what organizers describe as an illegal eviction drive.”

This mobilization demonstrates Mamata Banerjee's continued influence over the urban poor and informal workforce in West Bengal. By championing the rights of hawkers against municipal eviction drives, the TMC is reinforcing its populist image and positioning itself as a protector of the working class against administrative overreach.