The rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital shocked the entire nation. The attempt to cover up the crime and the insensitivity shown by the Mamata Banerjee administration forced people to take to the streets. There were protests and outrage on social media as well, with fake news being circulated online. One of the claims was that sex workers from the red-light district Sonagachi refused to give brothel soil for Durga idols.
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At a time when Kolkata and its outskirts are grappling with the rape and murder of a female medical worker at RG Kar Hospital, protests are continuing in various districts. Junior doctors from various government hospitals have joined the protests demanding justice and safety. Public outrage is intense, with even expatriates joining the condemnation. The Supreme Court has asked the CBI to file a status report on the investigation by next Thursday. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has strongly criticised the role of the state government in the case. Amidst misinformation circulating on social media, a message is claiming that sex workers of the red-light district Sonagachi on the outskirts of Kolkata will not offer soil for Durga Puja this year in protest against this heinous rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar.
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India Today has published a report talking to sex workers about this. In this report, a female sex worker from Sonagachi in Bengal said that this is not a recent case. Soil has not been provided for many years. There is still no acceptance of sex work as a profession in our society. We have been demanding recognition for sex work for a long time. Revealing that this issue was not related. Sex workers and every woman associated with this profession have to suffer a lot of humiliation. We have to face exploitation continuously. It is not only four days of the year (of Durga Puja), we want respect every day of the year. When we get our rights and are respected, we will provide soil.
Durga idol is made from the soil of brothel
According to Hindu beliefs, 4 things are very important for making the idol of Maa Durga for Durga Puja. First, soil from the banks of Ganga, second, cow urine, cow dung and soil from a brothel or any place where going is prohibited. Only the idol made by mixing all these is considered complete. According to the belief, until the soil of this place is not found, the making of Durga idol is considered incomplete. If for some reason Durga idol is made without this soil, then Maa Durga does not accept the worship of that idol.
