Puja committee refuses grant over RG Kar incident; Kunal Ghosh calls it publicity stunt

The Uttarpara Sakti Sangha Club in Hooghly District has announced its decision to refuse the annual Durga Puja donation provided by the West Bengal government. This decision comes in the wake of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, which has sparked widespread outrage across the state.

Prasenjit Ghosh, the secretary of the club, publicly declared the decision on camera, stating that the refusal of the Rs 85,000 donation—an increase from Rs 70,000 last year—is a token protest demanding swift justice for the victim in the RG Kar case. "This decision is not political in any way. We might face some financial difficulty this year in conducting the Puja, but we have decided not to accept the donation," Ghosh said in the video, which has since gone viral on social media.

The video has garnered significant support online, with netizens rallying behind the slogan, "Meyer Bichar Din, Mayer pujo nejera bujhe nebo" (Give justice to the daughter, leave worship of Mother to us). The sentiment seems to be resonating with many citizens across West Bengal, as calls for justice for the RG Kar victim grow louder.

Reacting to the move, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh released a counter video, dismissing the club's decision as a publicity stunt. Ghosh argued that the state government’s donation is intended to support the economic activities surrounding Durga Puja, which benefits many poor vendors and workers. He challenged the club to cover these expenses themselves if they refuse the government aid.

Amidst the escalating controversy, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously announced that next year’s Puja donation would be increased to Rs 1,00,000, reflecting the state's commitment to supporting the festival and its associated economic activities.