To celebrate or not to celebrate, that is the question many across Bengal and Calcutta have grappled with as the biggest festival for the state, Durga Puja, approaches amid protests over the horrific rape and murder of a young postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
We chose 10 women from across Calcutta and posed the same question to all of them: Do they feel conflicted about the festivities in light of the horror at RG Kar?
The women are from varied backgrounds. They include doctors, entrepreneurs, salaried employees, homemakers and students. Their answers vary, but there is a common thread – that this year it’s a different Durga Puja that is upon us.
Dr Devalina Bose: It's a show off this year, to establish normalcy
I feel Puja is the symbol of Respect and Maa Durga is the symbol of Shakti, the power. The power by which we, the women, run our family, our society, our country by our contributions at different levels. I feel 10 hands are a symbol of the capability of multitasking that we have to balance between family and work. There's no point in chanting mantras if we don't get the respect that we deserve in our daily life. The blood was not just in Abhaya's eyes, it's still there in our eyes too, maybe it's invisible. Whatever is happening in the name of Durga Puja, it's a show off this year to establish normalcy. In my opinion, Puja pandals should be utilised for spreading awareness to the people about the situation.
Dr Chandrima Dasgupta: This year’s Puja is different
I will be celebrating Durga Puja certainly but not in a conventional manner, I will celebrate as a protest as our Durga has already been immersed. This year’s Puja is different when compared to the Pujas I have been celebrating since childhood, as this year the heinous crime committed on the young lady doctor has been haunting me.
Swatilagna Bol: Durga Puja should be celebrated; it brings people together
Durga Puja is all about the feminine energy. Durga Puja should be celebrated as it brings people together and represents hope and the fight against evil. I believe that the festival serves as a reminder to address societal issues rather than being overshadowed by us. This year’s celebrations may feel different due to the heightened awareness of women’s-safety issues. The case could have prompted more discussions and initiatives around women's rights, leading to a more sombre or socially conscious atmosphere. I feel the festival is being used as a platform to raise awareness and demand justice.
Rupa Majumdar: Yes, I am conflicted. This Puja is different
Yes, I am conflicted about celebrating Durga Puja in light of the RG Kar incident. On one hand we are worshipping Goddess Shakti, appreciating women's power, and at the same we are trying to mute an empowered woman, Tilottoma, who tried to protest against corruption. She had the courage to raise her voice, but she was made silent forever. The system shamelessly removed the factual evidence, apparently supporting the conspirators. This is an extremely contradictory situation. This Puja is different. How can one be in celebration mode when the murderers and rapists of Tilottoma are freely loitering in the streets?
Tanaya Mukherjee: People are worshipping for justice
Durga Puja is our tradition and also tagged as Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As a Bengali I am proud to be a part of it. This year I will definitely participate in the customs and coincidentally all the ritual timings are across the night. This year Durga Puja is different as millions of people are worshipping for a common prayer – victory for justice.
Samanwita Dasgupta: I can't do much apart from protesting
Yes, I am conflicted about celebrating Durga Puja. Whenever I try to be happy for this Puja, it's on the back of my head that a woman is still yet to get justice. As a common person, I can't do much apart from protesting. This year's Durga Puja is likely different due to the RG Kar incident. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the festivities, and many people may be more reflective or sombre. But, if we don't nurture the culture in our society, we won't leave enough positive resilience for the future generation.
Kashvi: Want the celebrations to be meaningful
Yes, I do feel conflicted about celebrating Durga Puja in light of the RG Kar incident. The festival is a time of joy and community, but the tragedy is a reminder of safety concerns and the need for communal harmony. While I want to embrace the cultural significance and festivities, the incident makes me more aware of the potential risks involved in large gatherings. Balancing tradition with awareness of these issues feels crucial, as I want the celebration to be meaningful and inclusive for all.
Shreyashi Rai Chaudhuri: Protest will be the celebration
I personally feel the meaning of ‘celebration’ differs from person to person. While, ordinarily, Durga Puja is a time associated with pandal hopping and enjoying with friends, this year, it is a little different. This year, with Durga Ma’s arrival, we should echo the protest against those who undermine women and undertake practices which will harm society. So, this year, while the music will be replaced by protest, that will be the celebration.
Aparajita Basu: The mood of celebration is less
I am in two minds about celebrating Durga Puja because the RG Kar incident has ruined the mentality to celebrate Durga Puja full heartedly. In Kolkata the mood of celebration is less unlike previous years. The same people and the same mass are involved in both Durga Puja and protest of RG Kar incident. So it is not possible to switch the emotion between two opposite types of activities.
Priyanka Bhowmik: Let’s help those who depend on Durga Puja
There are two sides to it. Every year in Durga Puja Bengal has a vibe which is highly missing this particular year. I particularly did not buy clothes or other accessories like every year. But considering the other side, there are people who are a part of the occasion not for celebration but for minimum earning. We should not forget about them. So let's not celebrate in a big way but as a society contribute towards them by being a part of it.