Kolkata taken aback as vendors selling chicken puffs assaulted near Gita-path event, video sparks outrage
Kolkata/IBNS: Two Muslim street vendors were allegedly assaulted on Sunday near downtown Kolkata for selling non-veg puffs during the mega ‘Gita-path’ event at the Brigade Parade Ground, according to media reports.
The vendors — Sk Riyajul (50) and Md. Salauddin (60) — were selling chicken puffs near the Maidan area as part of their daily livelihood when a group of men allegedly attacked them.
A video widely shared on social media shows the sellers being beaten by individuals who objected to non-vegetarian food being sold during the recitation of the Hindu scripture.
One of the attackers, seen wearing a saffron headband, was captured assaulting the vendors, triggering sharp criticism online.
In the FIR, Riyajul alleged that “eight-nine unknown people, including a disabled man” assaulted him, while Salauddin claimed that “two-three persons” attacked him, The Times of India reported.
A disturbed by an incident that took place recently at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 9, 2025
Programme was organised at Brigade Parade Ground by Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Shastri. A poor street vendor selling chicken patties near the venue was physically and mentally assaulted by… pic.twitter.com/hx0lEPhxS5
“We were beaten and forced to do sit-ups. All our food items were thrown away,” the sellers said, adding that they had never faced such harassment before in the Esplanade area.
DCP (South) Priyobrata Roy confirmed that FIRs have been filed at the Maidan Police Station.
Political reactions
West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Chandrima Bhattacharya condemned the incident, saying: “Gita speaks for inclusiveness. Does the Gita allow assaulting a poor seller? The Centre profits from exporting non-veg food while a poor man selling chicken patties is attacked — what a contradiction!”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which participated in the Gita-path programme, dismissed the allegations, calling the incident a “conspiracy”.
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