Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam on Friday wrote to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), raising concerns over the prolonged disruption of drinking water in Kolkata’s Jyotinagar Colony, where around 5,000 residents have been struggling without a regular supply.

In his letter, Islam described the situation as an “urgent humanitarian and human rights concern” and urged the UN’s relevant human rights mechanisms to seek information from the authorities about the disruption, immediate relief measures and plans to restore a permanent water supply.

According to Maktoob Media, the MP alleged that the water supply had remained disrupted for nearly two months following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

He further alleged that BJP leaders had treated the predominantly Muslim residents as undeserving of water because they had not voted for the party.

Islam urged the UN to seek clarification on why the supply had not been restored, what steps were being taken to ensure access to safe drinking water, and how the authorities planned to protect children and elderly residents from continuing health risks.

Citing the UN’s recognition of access to safe and clean drinking water as a human right, Islam argued that the crisis should not be treated merely as a municipal or infrastructure issue, as it directly affected residents’ rights to health, dignity and an adequate standard of living.

“Drinking water is not a favour. It is not charity. It is a basic necessity for survival and an internationally recognised human right,” he wrote.

The MP also urged the UN to bring the matter to the attention of the relevant human rights mechanisms and consider appropriate intervention or guidance within their mandates.

Jyotinagar Colony, in the Cossipore area of north Kolkata, has been without a regular tap water supply since 29 July, leaving around 5,000 residents, most of them Muslims, struggling to meet their daily needs. Residents have been forced to rely on irregular water tanker supplies and the River Ganga, raising concerns about health and safety.

Residents have alleged discrimination, pointing to functioning water taps in neighbouring Hindu-majority areas. However, people from neighbouring communities have also been sharing their water with the affected Muslim residents, although they say the arrangement is not sustainable. Some fear their own supply could be cut off as a consequence of helping their neighbours.

Residents have also linked the crisis to remarks attributed to local BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari, who allegedly said he would not work for Muslims who had not voted for him.

The prolonged disruption has drawn attention to the constitutional and human rights implications of access to drinking water. The Supreme Court of India and various high courts have recognised access to water as an aspect of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.