Durga Puja Committees Reject Honorarium Amid Justice Calls for RG Kar Victim

At least six Durga Puja committees in West Bengal have refused the Rs 85,000 honorarium from Mamata Banerjee's government in solidarity with growing calls for justice for the RG Kar victim. Committee leaders expressed their refusal to accept the assistance until those involved in the crime are apprehended.

In a striking show of solidarity, at least six out of nearly 40,000 Durga Puja committees in West Bengal have rejected the Rs 85,000 honorarium offered by the Mamata Banerjee government. This decision comes amid escalating calls for justice for the RG Kar victim.

Rina Das, president of Bhadrakali Bouthan Sangha in Hooghly, stated, ''We have decided to boycott this grant this year to honor the sentiments of our members, who are deeply upset over the brutal attack on the postgraduate trainee doctor at her workplace.'' Similar sentiments were echoed by Prasenjit Bhattacharya from Uttarpara Shakti Sangha.

The movement has gained traction with other committees, including Lalgola Krishnapur Sanyasitala in Murshidabad and Bethuadahari Town Club in Nadia, joining in. They have notified local authorities of their decisions. The Hiland Park Durgostav Committee in Jadavpur has also rejected the grant to show solidarity with the victim's family.

The reaction from the Forum for Durgotsab, representing community Durga Puja committees, has been mixed. While demanding exemplary punishment for those involved, they urged to keep the festival separate from the incident. Sajal Ghosh from Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee, also a BJP leader, called on all committees to reject the grant to clearly convey their disapproval of the state's handling of the case.

(With inputs from agencies.)