West Bengal's Durga Puja Committees Boycott Government Grants Amid Protests for Justice

Amid growing calls for justice following the attack on an RG Kar postgraduate trainee doctor, numerous Durga Puja committees in West Bengal have chosen to reject the Rs 85,000 honorarium from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The move is a symbolic protest against the government's handling of the case.

As calls for justice for the RG Kar victim intensify, several Durga Puja committees in West Bengal have rejected the Rs 85,000 honorarium offered by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stating they cannot accept help from the government while women are protesting for security.

Rina Das, president of Bhadrakali Bouthan Sangha in Hooghly, explained, ''We have decided to boycott this grant this year to honor the sentiments of our members who are deeply upset by the brutal attack on the postgraduate trainee doctor at her workplace.'' Prasenjit Bhattacharya from Uttarpara Shakti Sangha echoed similar concerns, saying, ''This is a symbolic protest. We will not accept the money until those involved are apprehended and brought to justice.'' Other committees, including Lalgola Krishnapur Sanyasitala in Murshidabad and Bethuadahari Town Club in Nadia, have also declined the grant.

The Hiland Park Durgostav Committee in Jadavpur has similarly rejected the grant to show solidarity with the victim's family. An official remarked, ''We have unanimously decided to forgo the grant given the current protests and calls for justice.'' The Forum for Durgotsab, which represents community Durga Puja committees, urged to keep the festival separate from the tragic incident. Partha Ghosh, a senior office-bearer, said, ''We are grief-stricken by the tragedy and demand exemplary punishment for all those involved. We want justice to be delivered at the earliest but don't understand why this is being linked to Bengal's Durga Puja, which has UNESCO distinction.'' Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee's key organizer Sajal Ghosh, also a senior BJP leader, had earlier called on all puja committees to reject the honorarium to send a clear message of disapproval regarding the state's handling of the case. ''Although we have not accepted the grant for years, I urge every committee to reject it to convey our stance unequivocally,'' Ghosh said.

(With inputs from agencies.)