India: “Droher Carnival” at Kolkata

Amlan Biswas

Kolkata witnesses citizens protest carnival alongside Durga puja carnival The Calcutta High Court had set aside the prohibitory orders imposed by Kolkata Police and pointed out that there was sufficient distance between the two venues where - Droher Carnival at Rani Rashmoni Avenue and Durga Puja immersion carnival at Red Road - were being organised. The West Bengal government has been holding the Durga Puja Carnival since 2016 showcasing several award-winning Durga idols. Protesting junior doctors in Kolkata launched their 'Droher Carnival' (carnival of protest) today from city centre Esplanade - a short distance from the Red Road where the state government was hosting the Durga Puja Carnival. The puja carnival, showcasing award-winning idols, has been a high-point of the city's festive landscape since 2016. But today, most footfalls were at the adjacent protest site, where the citizens decided to show support to the doctors who are holding an indefinite hunger strike.