Kolkata: Soft-skill lessons to CCTV coverage, wary puja organisers take guard against flash protests
Times of India | 4 October 2024
KOLKATA: Wary of how the RG Kar protests may play out amid Durga Puja festivities, many organisers have appealed to protesters to desist from doing anything at pandals that might detract from “the religiosity or the spirit” of the festival.
Some have also started training their volunteers in soft skills to avoid direct confrontations with protesters, in case they show up on their premises.
Yet others are installing CCTV cameras at entrances, changing queue management techniques and widening access and exit points for easier passage to visitors.
The appeal and the measures follow similar apprehensions expressed at last week’s meeting between Kolkata Police and puja committees.
Many organisers say they are more apprehensive of “political protests” than “genuine apolitical protests” after the appearance of CPM, Congress and ISF leaders in a preMahalaya march ostensibly called by a section of “senior doctors”.
Big-budget pujas like Shibmandir Lake Temple Club, Badamtala Ashar Sangha, Sreebhumi, Tala Pratyay and Samaj Sebi Sangha are among those taking guard against possible disruptions.
They have also appealed to citizens to refrain from ‘organized campaigns’ and ‘sloganeering’ in and around their pandals. The fears have been fuelled by a seemingly isolated campaign on social media calling for a puja boycott and the ‘futility of celebrations’ in the aftermath of the rape and murder incident that led to statewide protests.
“We were shocked to see a poster doing the rounds on social media that hurts religious sentiments. There is a section that has been needlessly campaigning against Durga Puja this year. It is up to individuals or groups to observe puja the way they deem fit,” said Partha Ghosh, secretary of Shibmandir Lake Temple Club.
'In case of disruptions, we will seek police help'
Kashi Bose Lane puja committee has already conducted drills on handling flash protests. "Security guards and volunteers have been instructed not to argue with the protesters or use force but to engage in dialogue. To reduce wait time to enter the pandal, we have widened the visitors' channels to ensure normal visitors are not inconvenienced to facilitate VIP visits," said puja committee general secretary Soumen Ghosh.
College Street has been the hub of protests in the city over the past two months. Puja organisers at College Square are banking on increased security guards armed with walkie talkies and CCTV surveillance to ensure peace and order on their premises. "We have instructed volunteers and guards to be polite and ensure there is no skirmish," puja committee general secretary said Bikash Majumdar.
Shibmandir Sarbojanin in south Kolkata has already organised police posting even though their puja will be inaugurated on Oct 7. "The cops are taking the situation extremely seriously," said Partha Ghosh, one of the organisers.
Samaj Sebi Sangha, also in south Kolkata, has instructed its volunteers to deal tactfully with protesters, if they appear at the pandal.
"We strongly support the call for justice. But there are many who would like to enjoy the puja and participate in the religious activities. None has the right to stop them. We will not hold any cultural programme this year, but we will also not allow protests in and around the pandal. In case of disruptions, we will seek police help," said committee member Arijit Maitra, adding that they were "wary" of a section that was opposing the pujas.