Empty streets, missing pandals, and a sombre mood — This year’s Durga Puja in Kolkata is a far cry from the usual festive fervour that lights up the The City of Joy.
The brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital has shaken the conscience of the state, and the country, with people taking to the streets demanding justice.
In Kumartuli, which is usually buzzing with activity this time of the year, there is sadness and a palpable anger among people over the RG Kar horror as well as the Mamata Banerjee government’s handling of the case.
Many Durga Puja committees in Bengal have refused the Rs 85,000 government aid as a mark of protest.
Organiser of Netaji Nagar Durgotsav Committee, Indranil Bose, told News18 that what happened with the young doctor could happen to anyone else. “We are not taking the money as a mark of protest. This was a state-sponsored crime. If we take money, it will be clear that we are with the state.”
Last week, the chief minister’s call to “return to the festival” drew huge criticism and people responded with a counter-slogan — “Utsav e phirchi na” [will not return to the festival]. Bose also slammed Banerjee’s statement, calling it insensitive.
Milan Roy, owner of a sari shop in Gariahat, said there were hardly any crowds in the market. “It’s evening now. During puja, the markets are generally so crowded that people find it difficult to even find a place to stand. However, this time, most people have gone for the protests. Not only in Gariahat, the situation is same in New Market too.”
Mohammad Javed runs a 36-year-old shoe shop in New Market and is worried about the economic setback of the protests. “Our daughter has been killed so people are upset. But if this trend continues, we will suffer massive losses.”
Babloo Mondal, who sells clips and clutches, said he had never seen such a situation on puja. “Everyone is attending the protest movement. May Maa give justice to our sister. I am sure she will also look after our business.”
While physical markets are seeing waning crowds, the online marketplace is booming. Special T-shirts with the slogans “Amar Prothibader Bhasha” (My language of protest) and “Prothibader Adhikar” (Right to protest) are in high demand.
There are also some who have decided to not purchase anything this season as a mark of protest. Panchali Kar, a resident of Kolkata, told News18: “I refuse to celebrate. What’s there to celebrate when corruption and hooliganism trump human rights?”
The Trinamool Congress is of the opinion that Puja is linked to the economy of the state and the celebrations must continue as people’s livelihoods depend on it. The party has also cited steps taken by the government — including a stringent anti-rape Bill, handing over the RG Kar case to the CBI, as well as prompt probe — to win over the confidence of people.
TMC believes that the festive fervour can go hand-in-hand with the demand for justice, a sentiment also echoed by the BJP. BJP’s Agnimitra Paul said rituals must be followed but given that the state was grieving, people should ask the goddess for justice.
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