saraswati puja

Saraswati puja is round the corner. But far from being eager to join the celebrations, shopowners and traders in the state capital are dreading every moment leading to the festivities.

The apprehensions have nothing to do with loss of faith though. Rather, the reign of terror unleashed by chanda (subscription) collectors has dampened spirits.

This not only happens during Saraswati puja.

Local club members charging an exorbitant amount from shopkeepers and businessmen and threatening them with dire consequences if they fail to cough up the sum have become a common sight during all pujas.

It’s no different this time. “Being located in the business hub of the capital, every day around five to six groups of youths come to my shop, demanding subscription for Saraswati puja. I have no problem contributing for pujas, but these youths demand an exorbitant amount. And if you refuse to pay up, they turn aggressive and start a verbal duel. They have no respect for age, using foul language and vowing to teach us a lesson. We have no other option, but to pay up to ward off any untoward incidents,” complained Manoj Kumar, a shopkeeper at Upper Bazaar.

“Just two days ago, a gang of boys armed with sticks and iron weapons barged into my office as I had refused to pay Rs 21,000 as subscription. Pushed into a tight corner, I gave them the money. On probing, I came to know that they hail from the nearby Hatma Bustee,” said a proprietor of an automobile showroom on Kanke Road, on condition of anonymity.

“The chanda collectors create more trouble at the time of immersion. They indulge in vandalism spreading terror,” said a trader.

The subscription amount demanded usually ranges between Rs 101 and Rs 5,100. But in the case of big commercial establishments, it runs up to several thousands.

Asked why they had not taken up the matter with the police, the traders claimed despite several complaints, the lawkeepers had taken no action against the brigade of subscription collectors.

“The district administration and the local police have done nothing to check this menace that has been growing with every passing year. At times, they play mute spectators. We have no option but to protest peacefully in unison,” said Avinash Dudeja, the president of the shopkeepers’ association on Ratu Road