The posters were put up across the city by the Hindu Jagaran Manch, an affiliate of the RSS, ahead of the Durga Puja festivities. (Representative Image)
The posters carry messages such as “Eat biryani at a Hindu shop” and “Buy puja articles from Hindu shops”. The organisation said the messages were an appeal and not a diktat. SILIGURI: A poster campaign by the Hindu Jagaran Manch urging people to buy biryani and puja items from Hindu-owned shops has triggered a controversy in Siliguri, the largest town in north Bengal. The posters were put up across the city ahead of the Durga Puja festivities by the Hindu Jagaran Manch, an affiliate of the RSS.
Left parties also criticised the campaign, arguing that the Constitution guarantees equal rights to people of all religions and that a person’s religion should not determine their livelihood. (With Agency Inputs) You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in Kolkata Stay updated with the latest Kolkata news.
Hindu Jagaran Manch member Abhishek Das, who is leading the campaign, said, “This is not a diktat but an appeal. The administration should not only remove the posters but also arrest those behind this communal campaign,” Bhattacharya said. A BJP leader said the Hindu Jagaran Manch was an independent organisation and that the ruling party had no involvement in the campaign. The campaign drew criticism from some residents, who said Bengalis have traditionally enjoyed biryani without asking about the religious identity of the person preparing it.
If people support businesses run by Hindus, it will also impact the local economy. Senior CPI(M) leader and former minister Asok Bhattacharya demanded police action against those responsible for putting up the posters. “Putting up such posters is a crime in a secular, democratic nation. They also pointed out that many artisans involved in making Durga Puja decorations, including shola (pith) ornaments, were Muslims. They described the appeal as being at odds with Bengal’s traditions of free thinking and social harmony. Download the TOI App.