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Bengal’s Durga Puja Draws Food and Political Battles
Durga Puja is a very important festival in Bengal.
This year, people are arguing about how it should be celebrated.
Priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri said non-vegetarian food should not be sold near goddess idols during Navratri.
BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya said Bengalis should be free to eat fish and meat as they traditionally do.
A government poster also showed Durga with 11 hands instead of 10, and the chief minister apologized.
Some experts believe these arguments are being used for political reasons.
They say Bengal’s Durga Puja includes many different customs.
Political parties have increasingly become involved in organizing and influencing Puja celebrations.
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged Hindus not to sell non-vegetarian food near Durga idols during Navratri.
Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya rejected food restrictions, defending fish and meat traditions during the festival.
A state government Durga Puja advertisement mistakenly depicted the goddess with 11 hands instead of 10, prompting an apology.
Observers said the debate reflects tensions between Bengal’s diverse traditions and a more uniform Hindutva approach.
Durga Puja committees are increasingly becoming sites of political competition involving the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other forces.
- Who
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, political observers and Durga Puja committees.
- What
- A dispute has emerged over food practices, cultural traditions and political influence surrounding Bengal’s Durga Puja celebrations.
- Where
- West Bengal, particularly Kolkata and parts of Bengal bordering Bangladesh.
- When
- The controversy began during the reported Sunday programme and continued on Monday, ahead of this year’s Durga Puja.
- Why
- Shastri called for restrictions on non-vegetarian food near idols, while BJP leaders and observers debated Bengal’s traditions and the political use of the festival.
Defenders of Bengal’s plural traditions
Advocates of stricter religious observance
Food practices
Defenders of Bengal’s plural traditions
Samik Bhattacharya said Bengalis should decide what they eat and defended fish and meat, including goat meat offered to Maa Kali.
Advocates of stricter religious observance
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri appealed for non-vegetarian food not to be sold near goddess idols during Navratri.
Cultural identity
Defenders of Bengal’s plural traditions
Critics said Bengal’s Shakta and Vaishnav traditions allow Durga Puja to be observed in varied ways and warned against imposing outside food or religious norms.
Advocates of stricter religious observance
Supporters of Shastri’s position emphasized Hindu unity and a more uniform religious observance.
Political role of Puja
Defenders of Bengal’s plural traditions
Jawhar Sircar and Samir Das argued that cultural restrictions could distract from governance issues and contribute to aggressive Hinduisation or political polarization.
Advocates of stricter religious observance
Political parties, including the BJP, are seeking greater involvement in Puja committees and may view festival organization as a way to shape public and political participation.
Key facts
- Food appeal
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri asked Hindus not to sell non-vegetarian food near idols during Navratri.
- BJP response
- Samik Bhattacharya said Bengalis would continue eating fish and meat according to local traditions.
- Advertisement error
- A state government Durga Puja advertisement depicted Durga with 11 hands instead of 10.
- Political response
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari apologized for the advertisement error and attended Shastri’s programme.
- Tradition cited
- Bhattacharya said luchi is generally eaten on Ashtami and goat meat on Navami.
- Political involvement
- Experts described growing links between politicians, corporations and Puja committees.
- Committee tensions
- Reports cited turf wars, FIRs, ministerial intervention and some committees discontinuing their Puja or rejecting government funds.
Quotes
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri
Chief priest of Bageshwar Dham who addressed a programme in Kolkata.
“Bengalis will eat what they have been eating. Can Bengalis not eat fish and meat? Swami Vivekananda has said it. Who is above him? Here, goat meat is offered as an offering to Maa Kali.”
telegraphindia.com
“I am appealing to the Hindus of Bengal that during Navratri, even if you don’t keep the idols of the Goddess, do not sell non-veg near the idols”
telegraphindia.com
Samir Das
Professor of political science at the University of Calcutta and former North Bengal University vice chancellor.
“The origin of Durga Puja in its popular form is political.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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