A peaceful protest against a state-led demolition drive in Kolkata took a violent turn early Monday morning, resulting in injuries and multiple arrests. Authorities moved in to clear scores of hawkers' stalls and shanties, sparking clashes between police and demonstrators that lasted through the night. Among those detained were two prominent CPI(M) leaders, while several students from Jadavpur University and political activists were hospitalized after facing a baton charge from police and the Rapid Action Force. Critics of the operation, including CPI(M)’s Mohammad Salim, have condemned the move as "bulldozer politics," arguing that officials proceeded with the demolitions despite an existing court stay order and without providing any rehabilitation plan for the displaced vendors.

The eviction has ignited a broader political standoff in West Bengal, with the Congress party pledging to support the hawkers and students accusing the government of state-sponsored terror. Conversely, the BJP has defended the clearances, asserting that illegal encroachments have long disrupted daily life and hampered public access to busy railway terminals like Howrah and Sealdah. This latest confrontation highlights a deepening divide in the state, echoing past rhetoric where opposing parties have clashed over the definition of governance versus anarchy. While the government insists these measures are necessary for urban development and passenger convenience, the lack of a clear path for displaced families continues to fuel civil unrest across the city.