<p>The sex workers in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal,&nbsp;have refused to follow age-old traditions associated with Durga Puja -&nbsp;one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the wake of the gruesome rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last month, there have been reports that the sex workers at Sonagchi (Asia's largest red-light district)&nbsp;have stopped the practice of&nbsp;sending soil, known as 'punya mati' for the preparation of Goddess Durga's idol for Durga Puja.</p>

<p>It is believed that soil from a sex worker's doorstep is virtuous, as it may have absorbed the purity and virtue of those who visit the sex workers.&nbsp;However, as it turns out, the tradition of sending the soil has been on halt for nearly five years, and not only due to the recent case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For years, the sex workers at Sonagachi have raised their voices against the&nbsp;injustice and violence they have faced while practising their profession.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is not a recent issue. For many years, the soil has not been provided. We still do not have acceptance of sex work as a profession in society. We have long been seeking recognition for sex work," one of the sex workers was quoted as saying by <em>Zee News</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sex workers said some people were selling the soil to idol makers, but the tradition states that it should be begged for and received as a blessing from them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sex workers said despite their many contributions to the festival, they were not acknowledged and did not get the "respect" they deserved from civil society.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite their situation, a significant number of Sonagachi workers took part in protests recently to demand justice for the doctor raped and murdered.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-victims-father-denies-responsibility-for-leaked-conversations-754670"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Victim's father denies responsibility for leaked conversations</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>What is Durga Puja?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Durga Puja is an annual festival celebrated in September or October, most notably in Kolkata, but also in other parts of India and amongst the Bengali diaspora. It marks the 10-day worship of the Hindu mother goddess Durga.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The festival is seen as the best instance of the public performance of religion and art and as a thriving ground for collaborative artists and designers.</p>

<p><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:684,&quot;w&quot;:662,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2560}">Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:684,&quot;w&quot;:662,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2560}" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kolkata-horror-west-bengal-assembly-approves-anti-rape-bill-with-full-support-from-opposition-755497">Kolkata horror: West Bengal assembly passes anti-rape bill with full support from opposition</a></strong></p>

<p>It&nbsp;is also characterised by large-scale installations and pavilions in urban areas, as well as by traditional Bengali drumming and veneration of the goddess.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The sex workers in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, have refused to follow age-old traditions associated with Durga Puja - one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in the state.

The sex workers in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, have refused to follow age-old traditions associated with Durga Puja - one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in the state. In the wake of the gruesome rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last month, there have been reports that the sex workers at Sonagchi (Asia's largest red-light district) have stopped the practice of sending soil, known as 'punya mati' for the preparation of Goddess Durga's idol for Durga Puja. It is believed that soil from a sex worker's doorstep is virtuous, as it may have absorbed the purity and virtue of those who visit the sex workers. However, as it turns out, the tradition of sending the soil has been on halt for nearly five years, and not only due to the recent case. For years, the sex workers at Sonagachi have raised their voices against the injustice and violence they have faced while practising their profession. "This is not a recent issue. For many years, the soil has not been provided. We still do not have acceptance of sex work as a profession in society. We have long been seeking recognition for sex work," one of the sex workers was quoted as saying by Zee News. The sex workers said some people were selling the soil to idol makers, but the tradition states that it should be begged for and received as a blessing from them. The sex workers said despite their many contributions to the festival, they were not acknowledged and did not get the "respect" they deserved from civil society. Despite their situation, a significant number of Sonagachi workers took part in protests recently to demand justice for the doctor raped and murdered. Watch | Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Victim's father denies responsibility for leaked conversations × What is Durga Puja? Durga Puja is an annual festival celebrated in September or October, most notably in Kolkata, but also in other parts of India and amongst the Bengali diaspora. It marks the 10-day worship of the Hindu mother goddess Durga. The festival is seen as the best instance of the public performance of religion and art and as a thriving ground for collaborative artists and designers. Also read | Kolkata horror: West Bengal assembly passes anti-rape bill with full support from opposition It is also characterised by large-scale installations and pavilions in urban areas, as well as by traditional Bengali drumming and veneration of the goddess. (With inputs from agencies)

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India: Why Sonagachi sex workers are avoiding age-old Durga Puja traditions?

Indian sex trafficking film gives voice to 'voiceless girls'