Arambagh: An attack on a Muslim street vendor in Calcutta has shaken families who built their lives around the city for generations. Sheikh Riyazul, 50, faced public assault during a mass Gita recital at Brigade Parade Grounds on December 7. A video of the incident reached his father, Sheikh Joynal Abedin, 85, in their native village near Arambagh. The sight left him disturbed.
Abedin spent over four decades selling bakery items on Calcutta streets. His father began similar work in the 1930s. Three generations earned livelihoods through hawking cakes, biscuits, and puffs across busy locations such as Brigade Parade Grounds, Eden Gardens, Babughat, and Salt Lake Stadium. Abedin recalls years of trust. Customers included Hindu families, pilgrims, and lawyers. No one questioned faith or food.
The assault targeted Riyazul over false claims of selling chicken puffs as vegetarian items. Other vendors, mostly Muslims, faced attacks during the same event. Police arrested three men seen in videos. Courts granted bail soon after. The decision deepened anxiety among vendors.
Rohina Para, home to over 200 families, depends heavily on street vending. Around 150 households rely on selling bakery products in Calcutta and nearby towns. Many young members work outside the village to sustain families.
The incident forced several vendors to return home early. Fear now shapes daily choices. Income loss threatens survival. Riyazul worries about a counter complaint filed against him. Legal costs appear out of reach. He seeks police assurance before returning to work.
Abedin voices a simple demand. Vendors deserve safety. They need freedom to earn without fear. He insists Calcutta carries a history of shared living. The assault broke a bond built over ninety years. Families now wait for justice and protection.
As written by Snehamoy Chakraborty for Telegraph India
