A Durga Puja pandal in Chattogram has used art, protest slogans and newspaper reports to draw attention to violence against women and children and demand justice for victims.
Named “Raktanjali”, the pandal in the port city’s Khalifa Patti area features a sculpture of a little girl sitting beside a doorway, her eyes closed and hands pressed over her ears, symbolising the fear and suffering of victims of violence.
Beside her, a banner reads, “Stop violence against women” and “We want justice”.
During a recent visit, banners bearing protest slogans were seen on either side of the idol of Goddess Durga.
Photo: Rajib Raihan
One reads, “Why should my sister and my child live in fear?” Another asks, “Why is the home once filled with the sound of anklets now filled with fear?”
Organisers have also erected a symbolic gallows to demand punishment for perpetrators of violence against women and children.
Newspaper reports documenting such violence have been displayed at the entrance.
Sanchita Dev, a resident of Askar Dighi who works at a community clinic, visited the pandal with her young daughter. “Although this is part of a religious festival, the organisers have presented the true picture of society.”
Saikat Chowdhury, convener of the Khalifa Patti Puja Celebration Council, said, “Violence against women and children has been going on for ages. But what worries us is that its scale is increasing day by day.”
“Even though this is a religious festival, we wanted to send a message that women and children are being neglected in society. That was the main reason behind our idea.”
He said the organisers also wanted to encourage stronger protests against such violence.