Kolkata: Durga puja, West Bengal's biggest carnival, is likely to be subdued this year as calls to boycott the festivities grow in response to protests over the brutal rape-murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar hospital in August, casting a shadow over the city's festive spirit.
Emotional turmoil
The killing of the doctor on duty at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 has ignited profound emotional turmoil across the state, as the vibrant excitement of Durga puja has been overshadowed by the troubling paradox of worshipping the goddess of strength and protection while real-life women continue to face grave dangers.
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As Kolkata grapples with this tragedy, the city stands at a crossroads between tradition and change, torn between devotion to the goddess Durga, symbolising strength, protection, and justice, and the harsh reality of daily violence and injustice faced by women.
Less festive celebrations
"It appears that this year's Durga puja will be much more subdued due to the RG Kar incident and the ongoing protests. Many people may participate in the Puja but choose to avoid the festive celebrations. Many can relate to the victim and her family, which is why the protests have emerged so spontaneously."
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For many people, this year's Durga puja has transformed from a mere festival into a symbol of the ongoing struggle for justice, prompting reflection on the significance of worshipping a goddess when real-life women embodying her spirit remain unsafe.
"How can the city celebrate a festival that glorifies the divine feminine while turning a blind eye to the real-life women who suffer? This year, Durga puja may not only be a celebration but also a platform for a broader conversation about women's safety and justice. This conversation is long overdue," said a professor of a government college. (with Agency inputs)
