Faced with discrimination, sex workers of Sonagachi are set to host an all-woman Durga Puja of their own

Even as Durga Puja pandals across Bengal and particularly those in Kolkata are obsessed with the idea of a 'theme' that dictates every aspect of the idols and decorations, a routinely marginalised group of devotees has decided to return to tradition.

The sex workers of Sonagachi, the country's largest redlight district have decided that every aspect of their very own puja pandal will adhere to tradition — from designing the canopy of the goddess and the idols to the rituals over the six-day festival.

Spurred by the rejection they face when they visit pujas across the city, the Durga puja at Sonagachi will be conducted and managed entirely by the women. Not just the seven members of the Durbar Mahila Durgotsav Committee but the priest and the craftsperson making the idol are also women.

“Whenever I visit other Durga Pujas, the organisers and locals make it clear that I am not welcome because I am a sex worker,” Mamata Maity, a member of the puja committee told The Hindu.

Sitting in the small office of the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a prominent organisation of the sex workers, Ms. Maity said, “We were always made to feel that it was not our Durga Puja and we should stay away from the festivities,” she said.

Transgenders too

The initiative to accord centre stage to these marginalised women has gone a step further to include transgenders. The poster for the inaugural ceremony of the puja features Shintu Baghui, a transgender, in front of unpainted statues of the goddess and her ‘holy’ family.

Before being involved with the Durga Puja at Sonagachi, Shintu had stayed away from puja pandals for the last five years. “Not only do we (transgenders) face taunts and jeers but are often abused in filthy language. It was better to stay home,” recalled Shintu, the child of a sex worker.

She is hopeful that the poster will play a key role in not only promoting the Durga Puja but also raise public acceptance of transgenders.

Kanchi Paul, the artist making the Durga idol for the Sonagachi puja said the latest project was of “special interest” to her. “I have never come across such puja in my 15-year career,” she said.

Highlighting the idea of inclusion with the slogan “Durga Puja for all” on their poster, the organisers have reached out to the Goddess herself, saying, “You and us are all women.”