Kolkata: For the past 40 years, Durga Puja pandals across the city of Kolkata had utilised the platform to highlight cultural heritage, art, and pressing social issues such as environmental protection, human trafficking, and violence against women. But contemporary happenings are casting a shadow on the ruling Trinamool Congress and the state administration’s hopes of deflecting attention from the gruesome rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August.
Though the tenor and intensity of protests in the city against the rape and murder has lessened somewhat with people looking forward to Durga Puja, the Mamata Banerjee government, the police and even the ruling Trinamool Congress are wary of the effect it might have on the celebrations.
On Friday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: “A tragic incident has happened and we cannot avoid responsibility and it will stay with us. But it should not be used to defame Bengal,” while inaugurating a puja in south Kolkata. Without naming the RG Kar incident, the CM—while inaugurating the Hindustan Park Sarbojanin Durga Puja—said: “Many people go around defaming Bengal. Tragic incidents often occur and no one can prevent them. A tragic event remains tragic; can people ever forget it? But it must be remembered, if anyone disrespects the people of Bengal, I will never accept it. As long as I live, I will not accept it.”
The Kolkata Police has received information that die-hard protesters who have been raging at the government and the police over the past two months may be planning pop-up protests and flash mob style demonstrations at some of the most prominent pujas mandaps. To stymie that, the police presence at the top Durga Pujas has been substantially increased. Along with the uniformed personnel, the police are also deploying a number of plainclothes personnel at the pandals. Keeping in mind that over the past two months, most of the protests have been led by women, the police is also deploying female police and civic volunteers in large numbers. Police sources said that the officer in-charge of the police stations have been asked to remain extra-vigilant to nip protests in the bud.
As many as 2,905 Durga Pujas are being held across the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police. Among them, 248 major Puja pandals have been marked for greater vigilance. During the Puja days, 18 Assistant Commissioners (AC) and 104 Inspectors will be supervising the work of 550 Sergeants and Sub Inspectors along with 3,600 Constables and 5,200 temporary Home Guards.
Despite multiple calls by Chief Minister Banerjee to participate in the festivities, a large section of the society remains defiant. The festival, traditionally a time of joy and celebration, has become a battleground for political expression and censorship with numerous community Durga Pujas in West Bengal reportedly facing backlash for their criticism of the state administration and refusing the state grant. Last week, at a meeting of the Kolkata Police with the organisers of all the top pujas in the city, Police Commissioner Manoj Verma had specifically asked those present to ensure that “no troublemakers be allowed to take advantage”. They were also told to be vigilant against flash mobs or those wearing “We Want Justice” T-shirts, headbands or caps. Many members of the Forum for Durgotsab who were present, told The Sunday Guardian that they saw this as a veiled threat.
An order signed by Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita imposing prohibitory orders in the heart of the city ahead of Durga Puja festivities has evoked strong criticism by common citizens. The places mentioned in the notification are considered most crowded in the city with lakhs of commuters navigating the areas daily.
Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma on Friday said that the Kolkata Police was ready to tackle “any untoward situation” that may crop up in the present context of protest movements over the RG Kar incident. He said: “We are ready for everything. We have all the arrangements ready. Several factors were included while making the arrangements. I am hopeful that there will be no disruption during Durga Puja and it will be celebrated peacefully. Kolkata Police is ready for the festival.”
Trinamool Congress leaders too are trying their best to earn brownie points for their party. The MLA from Bhatar, Mangobinda Adhikari has urged the Durga Puja committees to display photographs of Mamata Banerjee at their pandals since they have received the state’s festival grant of Rs 85,000. “The Chief Minister is providing the money (Puja grants), so it should be ensured that her photographs are displayed in each pandal. She may belong to a political party, but the Chief Minister is the head of the government,” the MLA noted.
Political analyst Bishwanath Chakraborty underlined that the Trinamool Congress’ attempts to “suppress the protests” have only “fuelled the fire”. “While it’s true that the number of protesters has diminished since the night of August 14, it’s also true that people have been continuously demonstrating for nearly two months. The ruling party’s attempts to suppress these protests have only fuelled the fire. We haven’t seen such a large-scale anti-government movement in the state for decades,” Chakraborty said.
Graffiti has adorned the city’s streets, and in some neighbourhoods, celebratory drums and dhunuchi dance have become symbols of defiance. At least two Durga Puja organisers had displayed replicas of the human spine. However, under pressure from the ruling establishment, these installations were forced to be removed. “We explained to the police and the local MLA that through our installation, we were not referring to the protesting doctors presenting a model of a spine to the erstwhile Police Commissioner Vineet Goyel. We were only saying that the head of the family was like a spine who holds his head high and protects his family and that is what we were portraying. But we were ordered and forced to take down our 40-feet installation,” said an organiser who was at that meeting.
Many organisers have appealed to protesters to desist from doing anything at pandals that might detract from “the religiosity or the spirit” of the festival. Some have also started training their volunteers in soft skills to avoid direct confrontations with protesters, in case they show up on their premises.
They have also appealed to citizens to refrain from “organized campaigns” and “sloganeering” in and around their pandals. The fears have been fuelled by a seemingly isolated campaign on social media calling for a puja boycott and the “futility of celebrations” in the aftermath of the rape and murder incident that led to state-wide protests.
However, some Durga Puja organisers have stood firm. A Durga Puja committee in east Kolkata has unveiled a poignant idol depicting the goddess covering her face with her palms in front of a woman’s body. Titled “Lajja” (Shame), the puja has been organised by the Shri Shri Saraswati and Kali Mata Mandir Parishad in the city’s Kankurgachi area.
Biswajit Sarkar, a spokesperson for the committee, explained: “As visitors enter the pandal, they will see the goddess covering her face while the body of a woman lies before her.” The lion accompanying the goddess is also depicted sitting before the body, its head lowered in mourning. Nearby, a white apron and stethoscope—symbols of the medical profession—are displayed beside the idol.
“This is our protest against the continuing violence and attacks on women, from incidents of rape and murder in Kamduni and Hanskhali to the recent tragedy at RG Kar, which has shaken the conscience of the nation. As spontaneous protests against the savage attack on our daughter doctor show no signs of fading, we believe this Durga Puja should serve as a platform to express our anguish and pain,” Sarkar added. Meanwhile, the popular Santosh Mitra Square Puja pandal, which had initially planned a laser show on its Las Vegas inspired LED sphere pandal, changed its plans in the wake of the RG Kar tragedy.
Secretary Sajal Ghosh said: “We will display slogans like ‘Justice for RG Kar’ and ‘Justice for Abhaya’ (referring to the murdered junior doctor to protect her identity) on the spherical surface, along with images of burning lamps. That is the mood of the people and we will reflect that. We welcome people who want to ensure justice for the unfortunate girl. We have to fight the demons who are the threats to our wives and daughters everywhere.”