Sex workers in Kolkata’s Sonagachi | Only rights can stop the wrongs, says DMSC community
The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) marked its 30th anniversary, highlighting its origins in HIV prevention and its evolution into a sex‑worker rights organization. The group has secured legal victories, including a Supreme Court ruling that recognises sex work as a profession and a Calcutta High Court decision allowing them to hold their own Durga Puja. Despite these gains, sex workers in Kolkata’s Sonagachi continue to face stigma and violence from intoxicated clients.
- ▪DMSC began distributing condoms in 1992 after a WHO‑commissioned HIV survey and has grown to represent about 12,000 women in Sonagachi and 28,000 across West Bengal.
- ▪In 2013 the collective won a Calcutta High Court case that permitted them to celebrate Durga Puja, a right later reinforced by a Supreme Court verdict on consent for rehabilitation.
- ▪The organization’s 30‑year celebration featured community activities such as a shared lunch and musical games, reflecting its emphasis on solidarity and workers’ rights.
- ▪Sex workers report ongoing threats of physical and verbal abuse from drunk or drug‑influenced patrons, underscoring persistent safety concerns.
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“Only rights can stop the wrong,” reads a poster inside the community centre at the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) office in Sonagachi, Kolkata, West Bengal’s capital. The poster dates back to 2001; it still carries the weight of an unfinished fight in the red-light area. Durbar Mahila Samanway Committee (DMSC), an organisation working for the rights of sex workers, celebrated 30 years of existence on July 15.DMSC began distributing condoms in 1992 to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Its formation was based on a consensual HIV-AIDS survey by Dr. Samarjit Jana, who was commissioned by the World Health Organisation. At the time, high-risk populations were identified and coerced into testing; Dr. Jana asked for the women’s permission.
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