As migrants face persecution, city Durga Puja themes set to focus on Bengali pride
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Kolkata: Atrocities being faced by Bengalis in several states is set to be one of the major Durga Puja themes across the city this year. Pointing out that the persecution of Bengali-speaking Indians and attempts to brand them as "Bangladeshi" undermined the community's contributions to the Indian society, several Puja committees have decided to go big on themes highlighting the heritage of Bengal, the plight of migrant workers and the cultural and historical contributions of prominent Bengalis.
From big players like Chaltabagan Sarbojonin to new entrants like Dum Dum Road Hanuman Mandir Jayashree Club, Pujas will focus on the harassment faced by migrant workers for speaking Bengali and their illegal pushback. While Behala's Adarshapally Club has its theme set on the plight of Bengali refugees during Partition, Baguiati Ashwininagar Bandhumahal will trace Bengal's history back to human existence in the delta 42,000 years ago and showcase personalities who brought glory to Bengal.
On its 81st year, Chaltabagan's theme is 'Ami Banglay Bolchhi'. The pandal, interestingly, stands adjacent to the house of poet, playwright, and lyricist Dwijendralal Roy. "Our pandal will focus on the oppression of Bengalis," said organiser Mousam Banerjee.
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"Our theme will focus on how Bengalis are being illegally deported to Bangladesh and their basic rights are being snatched, judging them on basis of language.
Our pandal will have jails showing how Bengali migrant workers are being illegally put behind bars," said Sanjay Das, chief organiser of the Jayashree Club puja.
Bandhumahal is marking its 45th year with the theme 'Gorber Bangla o Bangali. Banglar Itihaas'. "This year, one of the most talked-about topics is Bengal, Bengalis, and the Bengali language. In neighbourhoods and on street corners, discussions are taking place on the origins and heritage of Bangla.
When you visit our pandal this Puja, you'll get food for thought and debate, alongside, of course, the joy of the Goddess's worship," said club secretary Swarup Nag.
The pandal will have installations of personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. "Puja is no longer limited to idol-viewing, offering prayers, or grabbing a quick festive bite. Our festival of life is now honoured and admired on the world stage.
That's why Puja theme ideas today are like complete thesis papers," Nag said.
At Adarshapally, the focus is on filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak's work, particularly his film 'Meghe Dhaka Tara'. Organisers say the theme draws parallels between the turmoil of Bengal during Ghatak's era and contemporary threats to Bengal cultural fabric. "It's about Bengal in peril — then and now," said organiser Shankar Ghosh.
39 Pally Durgotsav Samiti's puja, primarily being organised by youths struggling with Down syndrome under the supervision of artist Snehasis Das, will also focus on the theme of language terrorism.
"Poet Sukanta Bhattacharya once wrote about the immense power of a small matchstick. Although he expressed this in his own distinct way, it remains a great source of inspiration for people like us. In society's eyes, we are either outcasts or objects of pity.
But we want neither. We wish to be tempered and hardened by the fiery struggles of life. Our catchline is 'Banglar Opomaan Bangalike Otyachar. Biruddhe Ektai Ostro. Bangla Maar Sontan (Bengalis are weapons in the fight against the insult and atrocities meted out to Bengal and Bengalis)," an organiser said.
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