FIR against Sukanta Majumdar for comparing Bengal’s law and order with Sonagachhi ‘sex workers’

An FIR was registered against Bengal BJP president and junior Union education minister Sukanta Majumdar for his remarks comparing police functioning to the work of sex workers in Kolkata’s Sonagachhi area. In a video that surfaced, Majumdar is seen telling police that they had "reduced policing to the levels of Sonagachhi sex workers."

The complaint was filed at Bowbazar police station by Trinamool Congress councillor Sunanda Sarkar, who represents Ward 18 — the area that includes Sonagachhi. Sarkar alleged that Majumdar's statement was derogatory and offensive to a community that has historically faced marginalisation.

TMC leaders issued strong responses to the remark. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “Sukanta Majumdar is slowly evolving into one with a loose tongue... Sonagachhi’s sex workers are not to be ridiculed. They deserve respect. Every one of them has lived through torture and exploitation at some level... There is a raging debate on why they should not be given labour rights and legal safeguards.” He added that Majumdar should apologise immediately.

State women and child development minister Shashi Panja said, “One day he calls women jihadis, the next day he demeans Sonagachhi’s sex workers. Who gives him the right to do it? He should first apologise to the sex workers. He is a teacher, junior education minister, Bengal BJP president. And this is the language he speaks. This is disrespectful, hurtful.” The BJP did not issue any official response to the FIR or to the statements from Trinamool leaders.