(Image source from: Mahisasuras turn rapists this Durga Puja)

Considering the mounting number of rape and molestation cases against women in the country, the organizers of Durga Puja have decided to pay a special tribute to women this year and how!

Bringing a flash of novelty to this years' puja idols, the organizers have decided to cast the rapists as "Mahisarusas", the iconic bull-demon who was slayed by the Goddess.

"We want to show the evil forces or demons of mythical times have returned to plague today's women in the form of rapists. These men are now the Mahisasuras," one of the organisers said.

"Our theme is to finish rapists everywhere in the world. Durga is known for eradicating evil forces and now one of the biggest evil plaguing our society are those of violence against women," Pradip Sengputa, president of FD block puja committee said.

In one of the puja pandals, one of the demons has been portrayed as a man in a suit, eyeing a woman immodestly and Durga attacking him with a trident.

"Through symbolic means we are trying to portray that rapes unfortunately happen in all kinds of places. Our women are suffering and now good people in the society should rise to the occasion and protect them," he said.

“Another eminent puja organiser in Bhawanipur has weaved a 5km long handloom saree out of 250kg of thread to portray the need to protect the dignity of women.”

"We all want to take shelter in our mother's 'aanchal' whenever we feel unsafe irrespective of our age. But now are mothers and sisters are in danger as instances of violence against them are on the rise. In this 5km long saree we are talking about the need for empowerment of women," said Subir Das, secretary of Bhawanipur 75 Palli Sorbojanin Durgotsav Committee.

(With inputs from the Hindustan Times)

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury