MP seeks UN intervention as 5,000 Kolkata’s Muslim residents face water crisis
Kolkata: Water crisis in Kolkata Muslim locality exposes discriminatory governance pattern with MP seeking UN intervention.
Around 5,000 residents battle acute shortage for nearly two months continuously. Taps have run dry, forcing dependence on inadequate tanker supply daily. Crisis targets Muslim colony, raising serious human rights concerns in West Bengal.
TMC MP approaches UN rights office
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam approached United Nations. He wrote to Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Complaint described situation as humanitarian concern needing intervention. He urged restoration of reliable piped drinking water supply immediately.
Islam said regular supply disrupted after West Bengal Assembly elections. Repeated appeals to local administration failed to secure permanent solution, he said. Disruption affected Jyoti Nagar Colony near Chitpur and Belgachia areas. Families struggle for drinking, cooking, bathing and sanitation needs daily. He said shortage disproportionately affected minority Muslim community residents. It raises concerns about possible discrimination in essential public service access.
Residents depend on inadequate tankers
According to complaint, children, elderly and poor families face particular hardship due to crisis. Prolonged disruption raised serious hygiene and sanitation concerns among residents who struggle to secure enough water for daily needs. Islam said repeated representations to administration yielded no lasting solution.
MP cites international human rights principles
In communication to UN rights office, Islam cited international human rights principles. He referred to access to safe drinking water and sanitation rights. He argued access should be treated as human dignity and right to life. It should not be treated as benefit dependent on political considerations, he said.
United Nations recognises safe water and sanitation as fundamental human right. Islam urged office to examine deprivation as rights violation, not infrastructure issue.
Explanation and urgent action sought
The MP called on UN rights office to seek clarification from authorities. He sought explanation for prolonged interruption and remedial measures taken. He sought details of arrangements for sufficient safe water supply. He also sought clear plan to restore pipeline connections reliably.
He urged urgent measures to protect health and dignity of affected residents. Children, elderly and vulnerable need immediate protection, he stressed. International attention necessary to ensure appropriate response, Islam said.
Deprivation of water to Muslim locality reflects discriminatory policies under majoritarian influence. Essential services should never be weaponized against marginalized communities anywhere.
Background
Jyoti Nagar Colony is located in north Kolkata near Chitpur area. Around 5,000 residents live in locality with limited civic infrastructure. Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights monitors global rights violations. Right to water is recognised under international human rights law framework.
