India

Kolkata Durga Puja Committee Turns Down State Donation Amid RG Kar Rape-Murder Case

A Durga Puja committee based in Kolkata has made headlines by rejecting the annual donation provided by the West Bengal government, in protest against the recent rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.

The incident, which took place earlier this month, has sparked outrage and led to growing discontent among various community groups.

The community club, ‘Mudiali Amra Ka Jan,’ located in the minority area of Garden Reach on the southern fringes of Kolkata, issued a statement on Friday announcing their decision.

“We are not accepting the donation of Rs 85,000 given by the state government this year. We have taken this decision as a protest against the rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar on 9 August. We want justice for the victim,” the statement declared.

The decision to refuse the government’s increased donation up from Rs 70,000 the previous year is gaining traction as a form of peaceful protest against the heinous crime.

Uttarpara Sakti Sangha, Women-Led Durga Puja Committee, & Malda Theatre Group Reject State Donation

In recent days, several other community clubs have followed suit, notably in Hooghly district.

Additionally, the Uttarpara Sakti Sangha Club was the first to decline the state funds, and soon after, a women-led Durga Puja committee from the same area made a similar decision.

These Puja organisers however acknowledged that while rejecting the funds might necessitate some budget cuts, they felt compelled to take a stand in their own way.

The protest is not limited to Puja committees; a theatre group from Malda district, Malda Somobeta Prayash (Malda Combined Effort), also refused a Rs 50,000 state donation intended for organizing a theatre fair in the district.

Public support for these organizations has surged on social media, with many praising their actions and encouraging other Puja committees to take similar stands.

In response to the growing protests, the Trinamool Congress leadership has appealed to the public not to associate the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College with Durga Puja, the state’s most significant festival.

The Forum for Durgotsab, a body representing various community Puja committees, also issued a similar plea, urging people to separate the issue from the festivities.

Also Read: PM Modi To Lay Foundation Stone For Vadhvan Port; Address Global Fintech Fest In Maharashtra

Mankrit Kaur

Recent Posts

PM Modi Interacts With Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Aboard The ISS

PM Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the…

56 mins ago

Gautam Adani, Family Participate In Puri Rath Yatra; Launch Massive ‘Prasad Seva’ Initiative

Gautam Adani, along with his wife Priti Adani and son Karan Adani, joined thousands of…

2 hours ago

PM Modi, Leaders Pay Tribute To Former PM PV Narasimha Rao On Birth Anniversary

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on…

2 hours ago

Gautam Adani Hails Divine Experience At Rath Yatra; Praises Odisha’s Graceful Management

Gautam Adani conveyed profound spiritual emotions after witnessing the revered Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath…

2 hours ago

Punjab’s Litchis Reach Middle East Markets In Boost To India’s Fruit Exports

In a step towards diversifying India’s horticultural exports, Punjab has successfully shipped its first consignment…

3 hours ago

Dalal Street Sees Strong Activity Of IPOs In June As Market Sentiment Improves

India’s primary market experienced a surge in activity in June 2025 as investor sentiment toward…

3 hours ago