Overview
- Colourful Bengali posters put up across Siliguri urged people to buy biryani, meat and puja items only from Hindu‑owned shops, prompting sharp local criticism and public outcry on Sunday.
- Hindu Jagaran Manch members said the messages were an economic appeal to support Hindu businesses and described the campaign as voluntary.
- Former CPI(M) minister Asok Bhattacharya and Left leaders demanded police action and removal of the posters, calling the campaign contrary to secular and constitutional norms.
- BJP figures including Union minister Sukanta Majumdar publicly disowned the campaign and said the Manch is an independent group, while reporting shows no confirmed arrests or formal enforcement so far.
- The episode takes place during Durga Puja when many livelihoods depend on festival trade and artisans from multiple faiths, and it follows prior local activism by the Manch, raising risks to communal harmony and vendor incomes.