People are angry after the brutality with the doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. Protests are being held across the country against this brutality. But many kinds of rumours are also being spread about this incident. Meanwhile, a news went viral on social media that in protest against this incident, the women of Sonagachi (Kolkata’s red light area) have refused to give soil for Durga Puja.
To know the truth of this news, Aaj Tak Bangla talked to the sex workers of Sonagachi. In this conversation, along with this claim, the women also expressed many other pains, which the people there have been living with for a long time.
What did the women of Sonagachi say
When Aaj Tak Bangla questioned a sex worker about this claim going on social media, she said, “We have not been giving clay to make Durga idol with our own hands for a long time. Sex work has not been accepted as a profession in the society. Whereas we have been demanding this for a long time.”
‘We don’t want just 4 days of respect’
During the conversation, she expressed her pain and said, ‘Every woman in this profession of sex work has to face many humiliating situations. We don’t want respect for only 4 days during Durga Puja. We need respect every day. When we get our rights and respect, then we will happily sacrifice our lives.’
‘What to do if someone takes it without asking’
A sex worker said, ‘It is said that the soil here is of utmost importance for the idol of Durga Devi. But if someone takes the soil from our area without asking us, we cannot do anything. Nowadays it has become a business. I hear that this soil is also available in the market. I do not know whether the soil being sold in the market is real or fake. But it is being sold.’
‘We also protested against the incident that happened in RG Kar’
Another woman said, ‘We also came out on the streets to protest against whatever happened in RG Kar. We also participated in the protest on 14 August. We are very sad about this. But we see news of rape and atrocities against women every day. Our only appeal is that such atrocities should stop. Women are being exploited everywhere. In many places, incidents of atrocities do not even come to light.’
Also read: ‘I have not seen such negligence in 30 years’, SC Justice Pardiwala’s strong comment on Kolkata incident
Why is the soil of the brothel taken?
Let us tell you that there is a tradition of using the soil from the courtyard of the brothel to make the idol of the goddess during Durga Puja. According to the legend, a prostitute was a great devotee of Maa Durga. But she was very sad due to her contempt in the society. Then, seeing her true devotion, Maa Durga gave her the boon that until the soil of the brothel is not included in her idol, the goddess will not reside in that idol.
Another belief is that brothels have come into existence because of men’s greed and lust. Prostitutes impure themselves and purify the society by absorbing the lust and lust of men. But in return, women who engage in prostitution are considered outcasts from the society. They face contempt for their entire life. This is the reason why the soil of brothels is used in holy ceremonies like Durga Puja to give them some respect, even if it is a little.
It is said that earlier the priests used to go to the brothels for this soil. In exchange for this soil, they used to give them fruits, clothes or some other things. If the women refused to give the soil, then they had to beg for it. But now in most places, the artisans themselves go for this soil. (Report- Soumya Choudhary)