TAP TO UNMUTE Photo Credit: Representative Image

Kolkata: In a shocking incident of discrimination in Kolkata’s Salt Lake region during Durga Puja, a domestic help, who was handed lunch coupons by her employer was humiliated and asked to go away by the organisers.

In a Facebook post, the maid’s employer Saubhik Ghosh, a resident of CB Block in the area, described how the untoward incident unfolded.

Ghosh said he received six passes from CB Block Welfare Association to have lunch on September 29, but due to prior commitments, he chose to give the coupons to his maid instead.

“Today during Nabami lunch, I was unable to attend due to some other engagement. So that the coupon does not go waste, we asked our domestic help to go and have lunch instead,” he explained.

He went on to say that his maid had been working throughout the festive days, and as a token of appreciation, Ghosh decided to give the coupons to her as a token of appreciation.

However, to his disbelief, the officials from the Durga Puja committee “made a mockery” of his gesture and insulted the maid in front of everyone who came to join the lunch gathering.

One of the officials allegedly said: “Please don’t bring your ‘mashis’ and ‘ayas’ (domestic help/maid) to lunch at this ‘decent’ gathering, as they are supposed to avail a separate coupon for the same.”

“They are only entitled to get parcels and pack edged lunch. They are not allowed to have lunch with the rest of us,” the authorities added.

“Our help felt very bad and started crying once she came back home with the rest of my family. I was not present there at that time. Later when I went to the officials and protested such a rule, I was shown the circular attached herewith,” Ghosh said.

In the circular, the rules clearly reiterated the same points the committee members had told Ghosh verbally.

Ghosh urged his friends on social media to circulate the diktat he received and asked people to decide if Durga Puja was only for the rich, or if Maa Durga has her blessings reserved for those who could dress up lavishly.

“I know, it’s a small incident. I know my sentiments may not strike a chord with everyone. But hereafter the small change that I could bring myself (and for that I do not need a consent or authorisation of anyone), is my decision to stop giving donations to such societal festivals and instead donate the amount to someone who really needs it and deserves it,” he said.