TMC MP Mahua Moitra has approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that the Nadia district administration attempted to make her leave a Circuit House in Krishnanagar late at night despite having initially allotted her a room.
The Krishnanagar MP sought Birla’s intervention, arguing that the incident raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of women parliamentarians. She also indicated that she may take the matter to court over the alleged harassment.
Moitra said she arrived at the Circuit House at around 6.15 pm on Friday and was taken to her usual room. She said tea and dinner were also served there.
According to her letter, an additional district magistrate contacted her at 9.47 pm and instructed her to vacate the premises, claiming that the direction had “come from the top”.
Moitra said she subsequently received a WhatsApp message at 10.52 pm carrying an order stating that the Circuit House would be unavailable from the evening of August 14 due to maintenance and cleaning work. However, the order reportedly stated that bookings confirmed before August 13 would not be affected.
She questioned why she had been assigned a room and served meals if the restriction was already applicable, and why officials waited until late at night to ask her to leave.
Moitra also alleged that around 11 pm, a crowd assembled outside the Circuit House and raised “Jai Shree Ram” slogans after she refused to vacate the premises.
She described the situation as threatening and pointed out that the Circuit House, situated opposite the residences of the district magistrate and superintendent of police, should have been considered a secure location.
The Nadia district administration had not immediately issued any response to the allegations.
In her letter to Birla, Moitra said MPs were entitled to accommodation at circuit houses while visiting their constituencies. She argued that asking a woman MP who was staying alone to leave the premises at night posed serious security concerns.
She appealed to the Speaker to intervene and “ensure the dignity of women parliamentarians across the country”.
Moitra also referred to the Women’s Reservation Bill, arguing that increasing women’s representation in Parliament would have little meaning if women MPs already serving in the House could not be guaranteed basic security.
Earlier, Moitra had posted a video on social media saying she would not retreat from the issue and referred to court observations concerning the security of TMC leaders who have faced protests and attacks.
She said she was considering moving a privilege motion in the Lok Sabha and might also approach the Calcutta High Court.
The incident prompted reactions from several political leaders. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee accused the Suvendu Adhikari government of using state power to intimidate a woman MP. Congress leader Pawan Khera and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the episode.
The central issue in the controversy is Moitra’s allegation that she was permitted to check into the Circuit House, served food there and subsequently ordered to leave late at night, while a crowd had gathered outside the premises.
