Controversy erupted in West Bengal’s Siliguri days before Durga Puja after posters surfaced urging residents to buy biryani exclusively from Hindu-owned shops. Put up by the local outfit "Hindu Jagran Manch", the posters appeared across several parts of the city. Tensions heightened after similar posters were spotted at the Tirtha Club Durga Puja grounds in Bharat Nagar, a prominent location near the residence of state Tourism Minister and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh.

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Passersby and daily commuters halted to read the signage on the street walls. One of them read, “Buy meat from Hindu-owned shops," while another carries the message, “There is no ban on eating biryani. Eat biryani, but buy it from a Hindu-owned shop.” The displays soon were noticed by many and raised questions over using religious restrictions for swaying consumer choices.

'To Promote Hindu Identity'

A representative of the Hindu Jagran Manch, Abhishek Das, said that the outfit has put up the displays, adding the campaign was not restricted to Bharat Nagar. “We put up these posters ourselves. It's not just Bharat Nagar; the posters are in front of various Puja pandals across the city. Through these posters, we at the Hindu Jagran Manch wanted to convey a message of Hindu unity,” Das said.

The messages specifically appeal to people to purchase meat and biryani from Hindu-owned businesses, reducing mundane grocery shopping to a rigid, restrictive religious identity. The organisation has labelled the campaign as an effort to promote Hindu unity.

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What did the BJP minister say?

When questioned about the posters, Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh claimed he was unaware of the posters being put up near his residence. “I don't know who put up these posters. Those who put them up are the ones who can say why they put up such posters,” Ghosh said.

Ex-Mayor slams campaign

Former Siliguri mayor and CPM leader Ashok Bhattacharya slammed the campaign, accusing organisations associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of promoting religious divisions.

“Organisations like these are run by the RSS. The BJP is a party that follows the RSS's fascist policies. These parties spread hatred among people in the name of caste and religion,” Bhattacharya said.

BJP’s New Rules for Durga Puja

This follows the BJP's victory in the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. For this year's Durga Puja, the new administration has introduced several regulations, including designating Maha Ashtami as a state dry day, which requires the complete closure of all liquor shops and bars.

Authorities have banned DJ music and loud synthetic sound systems during celebrations and idol immersion processions, allowing only traditional instruments like the dhaak. Additionally, heavy restrictions have been placed on highway obstructions and unnecessary road blockades, accompanied by strict traffic diversions around Kolkata and crane restrictions at immersion ghats.