Saraswati Puja: DU, JnU mandaps spotlight attacks on media houses

The Saraswati Puja celebration of Dhaka University’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, held at Jagannath Hall yesterday, featured the themes of mob violence and arson attacks on Bangladeshi media houses.

The puja began yesterday morning through invoking the goddess followed by the offering of anjali, a floral tribute.

To highlight the violence and arson attacks on the media houses in December last year, the altar’s backdrop was designed to symbolically represent the burnt building of The Daily Star.

Anuska Chakrabarty, one of the organisers and a student of the department, said, “Today we worship our goddess for a prosperous academic life, creativity, wisdom and inspiration. We always aim to reflect and protest through the themes. Each year, we choose a theme that resonates with the events happening in our society.”

“As students of the journalism department, it is our duty to protest against mob violence, a severe violation of freedom of expression. Journalism serves the public and spells out the truth. When journalists and media houses face brutal attacks, it is a serious concern for both our society and its future,” she added.

According to a press release, 76 puja mandaps were set up under the supervision of the Jagannath Hall administration.

Jagannath Hall general secretary Shudipto Pramanic said, “Seventy-four departments have set up their own mandaps, and there are two goddess idols provided by our hall authority. As in every year, we are hosting the largest puja at this venue.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Jagannath University, in its Saraswati Puja celebration yesterday, also highlighted recent mob violence and arson attacks against Bangladeshi media organisations, with images depicting the fire-damaged buildings of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo placed behind the altar.

The puja was held beneath the Shajid Building on JnU campus, beginning at 8:30am with the offering of anjali.

Photo: Star

Upoma Mandol, a student of the department and one of the organisers, said, “Alongside worshipping the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, creativity and inspiration, we have used this year’s puja theme to protest the brutal attacks on the media. Without a free media, democracy cannot be established in any country.”

Also, on a different note, the puja rituals at the mandap organised by JnU’s English Department’s, held at Kathaltola area on the campus, was officiated by a female student of the department, Samadrita Bhowmik, for the third consecutive year.

Male priests conducted the rituals at all other mandaps of 35 departments, two institutes and one residential hall.

“Priesthood is often seen in our society as something only men can perform, but there is no such restriction in the scriptures,” Samadrita said. “Through my participation, I want to convey that women are equally capable. This is my third time conducting the puja, and I hope to continue doing so in the future.”

Saraswati Puja is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Bengali month of Magh. 

JnU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Rezaul Karim extended his greetings to all Hindu students and teachers on the occasion.