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. 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.Hindu Jagaran Manch member Abhishek Das, who is leading the campaign, said, “This is not a diktat but an appeal. 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. 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.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.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)
