Kolkata police stopped the distribution of Hanuman Chalisa in Kolkata Book Fair, but when VHP workers questioned the permission to distribute Quran and Bible, the police relented.
Bengaluru: All Indians are equal. But in the land of Didi, we have to add “all are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
The Kolkata Book Fair ended on Sunday, the 10th of February. Though the book fair allows distribution of all books irrespective of religions, the same need not apply to books of Hinduism, or so it seems!
Well, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had set up a stall at the fair. On Sunday, the last day of the book fair, VHP workers distributed copies of Hanuman Chalisa.
As the news spread, the Kolkata police rushed to the spot and stopped the workers from distributing the copies. When questioned, the police reportedly said, “It could incite passion among the visitors leading to law and order problem.”
However, when persevering VHP workers pointed out to the fact that copies of Bible and Quran were also being distributed, the police were given a taste of reality and the need for equality (of all religions) the police relented.
"There was tension initially. But when we wanted to know why the Hanuman Chalisa cannot be distributed if other organisations can give out the Quran and the Bible, the police relented and we continued with the distribution," VHP member Swarup Chatterjee told PTI.
Reports also add that Left-leaning students of Kolkata University were holding a protest outside the stall erected by the VHP and were shouting anti-CAA slogans. It is also reported that they were also holding placards.
All that the CAA does is to grant citizenship to the persecuted non-Muslim minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh
Last Updated Feb 10, 2020, 12:52 PM IST