Sonagachi marks Durga Puja amid push for dignity and social recognition

Sonagachi, home to thousands of sex workers, has launched its Durga Puja festivities with renewed emphasis on community recognition and social dignity. The celebration, which has grown in scale over recent years, represents more than religious observance for residents of Asia's oldest and largest red light district.

Participation from government officials, civic representatives, and local community members has increased significantly, signaling a gradual shift in public perception. However, sex workers emphasize that these growing numbers mask deeper structural inequalities and persistent social stigma that continue to shape their daily lives.

The Durga Puja in Sonagachi has evolved into a platform for asserting collective identity and demanding recognition as part of Kolkata's social fabric. Organizers point to the festival as evidence that residents possess agency, cultural values, and aspirations that extend beyond their profession.

Despite the expanded participation, activists working in the area stress that ceremonial inclusion during festivals does not translate into substantive improvements in access to healthcare, education, or legal protections. The community continues to advocate for comprehensive social policies that address their marginalized status throughout the year.