KOLKATA: An umbrella body of
Durga Puja organisers in the state has appealed for the harshest punshment of those guilty in the rape and murder of a junior doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital along with a request to not link the pujas with the "horrific incident" as it involves livelihoods of millions of people and provides impetus to the state's economy. The appeal comes after several social media handles have been calling for "boycott of Durga Puja".
"We are shocked and angry over the rape and murder of the young doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The guilty should be meted out the harshest punishment via the due judicial process in a manner that nobody ever dares to repeat such a thing," said Saswata Basu, general secretary of Forum for Durgotsab. "But we request not to associate Durga Puja with this horrific incident. There have been some posts on social media about boycotting Durga Puja. These are two separate issues. Let Durga Puja happen in its own natural course. The festival not only involves the livelihoods of millions of people but also contributes to the state's GDP," said Basu.
Durga Puja starts in the second week of Oct, but work on idols and setting up of pandals has already begun.
"The organisers of Durga Puja are part of society. Following the rape and murder of the doctor, the public mood is one of anger and defiance. Everyday, there are rallies and marches demanding justice. Even in our homes, wives and daughters have stepped out to reclaim the night. Preparing for the festival amidst this atmosphere is proving to be a challenge. But we are appealing to people to understand that while condemning what has happened, we should not derail the festival that celebrates women's empowerment and also sustains the livelihood of lakhs of people," said Forum for Durgotsav founder Partho Ghosh.
There have been calls from a section of people to make Durga Puja a low-key affair this year in keeping with the public mood and circumstance. Several of them are pointing to the scaling down of the festivity during the pandemic four years ago and claim the current situation is also an exigency.
Ghosh said that while respecting the sentiment and recognising the lack of joy or anticipation and hype in the build-up to the puja this year, the forum is appealing to all sections of society to come together during the festival and pledge to make the immediate surroundings a safer place for everyone.
"As a platform of Durga Puja organisers, we are introspecting on what can be done to further inculcate greater respect for women in society. We invite suggestions and will definitely act on them," said Ghosh.
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