Raihanul Islam Akand, Gazipur, Published at 07:51 pm November 3rd, 2021
The recent attacks on the Hindu community on top of the back to back waves of the Covid-19 pandemic have dealt a heavy blow to the livelihood of idol artisans in Gazipur Dhaka Tribune
Local sculptures have lost the majority of their orders after it was decided that the Kali puja rituals would be held without idols
In light of the recent spate of communal violence across the country, Hindu devotees in Gazipur have decided to cancel this year’s Kali puja (Diwali) celebrations.
As a result, local idol sculptures have lost the majority of their orders after it was decided that the Kali puja rituals would be held without idols.
Idol artisans mainly earn their income ahead of Hindu festivals. But the recent attacks on the Hindu community on top of the back to back waves of the Covid-19 pandemic have dealt a heavy blow to their livelihood.
Sree Narayan, in the sculpting business for 30 years, says he employs five craftsmen each with a salary between Tk14,000 and Tk20,000.
He says he will not be able to pay their salaries this month as the majority of his orders have been cancelled.
“My employees will have a hard time putting food on the table for their families,” he said in a state of worry.
Sree Nani Gopal Das, an idol sculptor at Burmese Bazar in Gazipur, says he sells idols worth Tk40,000 to Tk50,000 every year during Diwali. But this year he has only made around Tk15,000.
“Many have cancelled their orders to express their solidarity with the protests,” he added.
Working in Gazipur, Akhil Chandra Pal, 45, a craftsman from Netrakona’s Mohanganj, says his family depends on his income and he has just learned that his employer will not be able to pay his salary this month.
Now, he wonders how he will send any money back home.
Another craftsman, Ranjit Kumar, 56, from Netrakona’s Kalmakanda, says he’s been in the trade for 15 years now and things have never seemed gloomier.
Babul Chandra Rudra, president of Radha Govinda Mandir and Kashimpur Puja Udjapan Parishad, said: “On Thursday devotees donning black will hold a short and informal puja ritual and stand together in solemnity to observe 15 minutes of silence while lighting earthen lamps (pradeep) at the crematorium on the banks of the Turag River.
“Historically, Kali puja has always been celebrated for three days a year whereas this year it has been limited to a couple of hours to protest the recent attacks on temples, puja venues and homes belonging to the Hindu community across the country.”
Source: Dhaka Tribune
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