The Forum for Durgotsab, a coalition of Durga Puja committees in West Bengal, has called for moving forward with the Durga Puja festival despite the recent rape and murder of a doctor at R G Kar Medical College & Hospital.
This appeal comes in response to a controversy involving Uttarpara Sakti Sangha, a prominent Puja committee from Hooghly district.
Uttarpara Sakti Sangha recently declared it would forgo the state government’s annual donation, citing the tragic incident as their reason.
This decision has prompted other smaller Puja committees to follow suit, refusing the increased donation of Rs 85,000, up from Rs 70,000 last year.
In addition, a significant social media campaign has emerged, urging community Puja committees to reject state donations and adopt a more subdued celebration in light of the tragedy.
The Forum for Durgotsab has issued a counterstatement, emphasizing the need to celebrate Durga Puja with its traditional vibrance.
The Forum for Durgotsab emphasized the deep cultural significance of Durga Puja to the Bengali community. They requested that the festival be celebrated separately from the recent tragic event, highlighting the importance of maintaining its traditional vibrance and significance.
While the Forum has also called for the harshest penalties for those involved in the crime, their appeal has faced backlash online.
Critics argue that the forum’s request may be more about preserving prestige and award recognition for Puja committees than about genuine concern for Bengali traditions.
The debate intensified when a Trinamool Congress leader criticized Uttarpara Sakti Sangha’s decision, accusing the committee of exploiting the tragedy for publicity.
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