This year’s Durga Puja in faraway Chelmsford, UK, emerged as a powerful call for justice in the wake of the RG Kar rape and murder.

Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s words, “where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,” the members of Sankalpo, a community organisation based in Chelmsford, a city some 64km from London, united to ensure that this aspiration extended to all women as this year’s festival echoed the theme of shakti and
resilience.

As Sankalpo marked its fifth anniversary, elaborate celebrations were thoughtfully scaled down following the RG Kar tragedy.

“As we celebrate Maa Durga’s arrival, we stand in solidarity with Calcutta, our beloved city, which has been affected by the recent tragic event. This celebration is not only an opportunity to showcase the magic of Bengal’s most cherished festival but also to raise awareness of the heinous act that has transpired,” said Dr Arindam Das, a consultant paediatrician and an RG Kar alumnus, who is a founding member of Sankalpo.

Throughout the festivities, Sankalpo members aimed to amplify voices for justice and peace.

Sankalpo organisers with actress Shakuntala Barua (in a sweater and a parrot green sari) during this year's Durga Puja in Chelmsford. One of them holds a placard of 'Justice for Abhaya'. Picture courtesy: Sankalpo

Dr Soumadri Sen, a consultant and a Sankalpo member, said: “As RG Kar Medical College alumni navigating life in the UK, we are deeply moved by the courage of our current students. Their fasting and fight for justice echo our own experiences, creating a powerful bond across generations. Amid the vibrant backdrop of Durga Puja, Chelmsford’s Bengali and Indian community stands united in solidarity.”

“Sankalpo, a beacon of cultural unity, provides the perfect platform to honour our heritage and express our sorrow for recent events,” he continued. “Through our vibrant programmes, we’ll weave together threads of tradition and compassion, demonstrating the enduring spirit of RG Kar alumni.”

The Sankalpo fashion show, the cultural centrepiece of the Durga Puja, paid tribute to the tragic event in Calcutta. This usually glamorous event this time wove in tributes to the RG Kar incident.

The fashion show, titled “Tiaras and Tuxedos”, began with a powerful call for justice.

Actress Shakuntala Barua, the guest of honour and the showstopper of the fashion show, praised the event. “I am delighted to visit my younger daughter in London after seven years and honoured to be part of the Chelmsford Sankalpo Durga Puja fashion show. It is so wonderful to see how they have kept the tradition of Durga Puja alive a thousand miles away from India through their unique multi-cultural activities while integrating the theme of the recent happenings of RG Kar and demand for justice at the forefront,” Barua said.

Sankalpo began with just 12 Bengali families during the pandemic in 2020 and has now grown into one of the largest pujas in Chelmsford, Essex, attracting over 1,000 visitors across the three days of celebration.

In a gesture of unity, which includes people of different faiths, members of the local Sikh community this year prepared langar for everyone.

This year’s Durga Puja also featured an authentic Bengali sweet shop, which offered authentic Bengali treats such as komola bhog, nolen gurer rasogolla, kalakand, makha sandesh and kheer kodom.

Saurabh Kapania, a software engineer, emphasised the purpose of Sankalpo: “Sankalpo Chelmsford is a family of like-minded people, who came together not only to celebrate our festive season but also to get our future generation to get along and understand the importance of our roots, our culture and our divine path to worship the Almighty.... We have just one belief, that is seva (service) under Sankalpo banner through our Maa Durga and seva of her devotees.”

Amitrajit Manna, a software engineer and a Sankalpo member, added: “Sankalpo’s Durga Puja is our humble effort to recreate the magic of the festivities, reminiscent of home.... This year’s celebrations are tempered by the tragic incident at RG Kar, which remains heavy in our hearts. As we come together, we hope for the triumph of good over evil and justice over injustice.”