Siliguri posters urge buying from Hindu-owned shops

Hindu Jagran Manch put up posters across Siliguri urging people to buy biryani, meat and Durga Puja goods from Hindu-owned shops, prompting criticism from opposition leaders ahead of the festival. The organisation described the messages as an appeal to support Hindu traders, while critics said the campaign could deepen religious divisions. The posters appeared at multiple locations in the West Bengal city before Durga Puja. Some said people could eat biryani but should buy it from a Hindu shop; others urged purchases of meat and puja items from Hindu-owned businesses. No independent count of the posters was reported. Abhishek Das, a Manch representative involved in the campaign, said the organisation had put them up across Siliguri and that the message was intended to promote Hindu unity. He called it an appeal rather than a diktat and said supporting Hindu-run businesses could affect the local economy. Prasanta Sarkar, another Manch leader, said the group wanted Hindu traders to benefit from the festival economy and was not against any community. Left leaders condemned the campaign and called for police action or removal of the posters.