Theatre Group Returns Grant in Protest of State's Handling of Rape-Murder Case

 Amid protests by civil society members across West Bengal over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor of RG Kar hospital earlier this month, a well-known theatre group in Malda district on Thursday said it will return a Rs 50,000 state grant to protest the government's handling of the case.

Saradindu Chakraborty, the head of theatre group Samabeta Prayas, said the grant was originally awarded to support a two-day theatre festival in the district.

However, in light of the brutal incident and the perceived failure of state machinery to address the crime effectively, the group has chosen to reject the financial support, he added.

Chakraborty emphasised, "The state’s role in protecting the culprits and evading responsibility is inexcusable. We refuse to accept any financial grant from this government and are returning the money immediately." The group plans to proceed with the natya mela, scheduled for August 31 and September 1 at Englishbazar, Malda, using their own resources.

The state-run Paschim Bango Natya Academy gives Rs 50,000 grants to theatre groups across the state to support and promote the group theatre movement.

Eminent theatre personality Kaushik Sen expressed support for the group’s decision, saying, "I stand by their decision. The response to this horrific incident and the state’s handling of it should be addressed in whatever way individuals or organisations see fit." Earlier, six Durga Puja committees in West Bengal also declined to accept the state’s Rs 85,000 honorarium in protest against the RG Kar incident, further highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction with the state’s response. 

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