'Justice for RG Kar rape victim' slogans raised at Kolkata's Durga puja pandal

The protest was held over the rape and murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

In Short

• Santosh Mitra Square's Durga Puja turned into a protest site
• Protesters demanded justice for murdered doctor Abhaya.
• 'Justice for RG Kar' slogans raised at the pandal

In Kolkata, known for its vibrant Durga Puja celebrations, the atmosphere at Santosh Mitra Square was different this year. On Sashti, the sixth day of festivities, the spotlight shifted from celebration to protest, as calls for justice echoed through one of the city’s most famous puja pandals.

The protest was in response to rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor which took place at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August. The doctor's body was discovered on August 9, and since then, the case has ignited nationwide outrage.

Doctors across the country, particularly in Kolkata, have taken to the streets, with many even resorting to hunger strikes, demanding justice for the victim.

Santosh Mitra Square, known for its magnificent pandal designs, embraced the cause this year, merging the protest with the celebration. Amidst the dazzling lights and intricate decor, slogans like "Justice for RG Kar" and "We Want Justice" resonated through the pandal grounds.

A glowing ball of light, designed to mimic the famous sphere of Las Vegas, projected the words "We Want Justice", blending the protest seamlessly into the celebration.

The Santosh Mitra Square Puja is significant not only for its grandeur but also because of its political associations. It is one of the few major community pujas in Kolkata linked to a BJP leader, while most others are connected to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).