Kolkata witnessed a tense standoff on Saturday as BJP workers staged a protest against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over a newly passed bill that permits women to work in bars.
Prominent BJP leaders, including Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, and senior leader Roopa Ganguly, participated in the agitation, condemning the West Bengal government’s decision. The protest quickly escalated when a scuffle broke out between Roopa Ganguly and the police, as authorities attempted to manage the demonstrators.
Visuals from the scene showed BJP workers holding placards and chanting slogans, accusing the TMC-led state government of policy inconsistency. Many opposition leaders and women’s rights activists raised concerns about the lack of adequate safety measures for women working in such environments.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her views, stating, "Without strong safety protocols, allowing women to work in bars could expose them to harassment and violence. Women's empowerment must go beyond legislative changes and ensure secure working conditions."
The legislation in question is part of the West Bengal Finance Bill 2025, which was passed by the West Bengal Assembly on Friday. Among its key amendments is the revision of the Bengal Excise Act, 1909, which previously restricted the employment of women in bars.
The bill was introduced by Minister of State Chandrima Bhattacharya and aims to align the state’s excise laws with modern legal frameworks. The amendment removes the prohibition on women working in ON-category liquor shops, which the government deemed discriminatory.
Furthermore, the bill incorporates updates to reflect the recently introduced legal codes, replacing references to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
The TMC government has defended the move as a progressive step towards eliminating gender-based discrimination in employment. However, the BJP has strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it could compromise women's safety in workplaces that require stringent regulations.