India’s largest red light area in Kolkata’s Sonagachi inaugurates Durga Puja
Sex workers in Kolkata's Sonagachi red light area have inaugurated their 14th Durga Puja despite ongoing social stigma and local resistance. The organizers, led by the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, view the event as a vital safe space and a step toward social inclusion.
Why it matters
The event highlights the ongoing struggle for the rights and social integration of marginalized communities in India, challenging deep-seated societal prejudices.
India’s largest red light area in Kolkata’s Sonagachi inaugurated their 14 th Durga Puja on Wednesday (October 14) amid continued resistance and backlash from locals. The sex workers group Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) continue to fight for their rights in the face of persistent social stigma.
“People always thought sex workers are sub-humans, why do they need to celebrate Durga Puja? Even to get this much space we had to go to the High Court. But problems are far from over, even now locals find new problems with our puja every year,” Bishakha Laskar, secretary of DMSC, told T he Hindu during the inauguration ceremony. She said that on the day of the inauguration some locals alleged that their stage was bigger than permitted and tried to create a scuffle.
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