Archive · 20 Sep 2026
BJP Rule Fuels West Bengal Food and Cultural Debate
The BJP became West Bengal’s ruling party after winning most seats in the 2026 election.
The TMC became weaker because its leaders and lawmakers split into different groups.
Congress and the Left have also struggled to challenge the BJP.
A new argument began about whether food near Durga Puja celebrations should be vegetarian.
ISKCON was involved in preparing vegetarian school meals in Kolkata municipal schools.
The government later said eggs would be provided twice a week through another scheme.
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri asked Bengalis not to eat non-vegetarian food during Navratri, which led to criticism.
Some BJP leaders said people should be free to choose their own food, while the CPI(M) criticised the VHP’s role in festival practices.
The BJP won 208 of West Bengal’s 294 Assembly seats in the 2026 election, while the TMC fell to 80 seats.
The TMC later faced an internal leadership dispute involving Mamata Banerjee and a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
Twenty of the TMC’s 28 elected MPs announced a merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and support for the NDA.
A vegetarian midday-meal arrangement involving ISKCON triggered criticism, after which the government announced that students would receive eggs twice weekly through a separate scheme.
Disputes over non-vegetarian food near Durga Puja sites and during Navratri have intensified debate over religious influence, Bengali identity and personal food choice.
- Who
- The BJP government, the TMC, Congress, the Left, the VHP, ISKCON, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri and Bengali political and civil-society groups are involved.
- What
- A political and cultural dispute has developed over food choices, Durga Puja practices and the role of Hindu religious organisations in West Bengal.
- When
- The developments followed the 2026 Assembly election and intensified before Durga Puja and during Navratri.
- Where
- West Bengal, particularly Kolkata and areas around Durga Puja pandals.
- Why
- The dispute reflects tensions over Bengali food traditions, religious observance, personal freedom and the BJP’s growing political influence.
Defenders of Personal and Regional Food Choice
Advocates of Religious Festival Restrictions
Personal food freedom
Defenders of Personal and Regional Food Choice
Samik Bhattacharya said no one should dictate what Bengalis eat, and Suvendu Adhikari said people could decide whether to follow Shastri’s appeal.
Advocates of Religious Festival Restrictions
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged Bengalis to avoid non-vegetarian food during Navratri and around Durga idols.
Food near puja sites
Defenders of Personal and Regional Food Choice
Critics viewed restrictions on non-vegetarian food as conflicting with Bengal’s established fish-and-meat traditions and regional identity.
Advocates of Religious Festival Restrictions
The VHP asked puja organisers to prevent the sale or consumption of non-vegetarian food around pandals, citing the sanctity and cleanliness of areas around deities.
Religious influence over Durga Puja
Defenders of Personal and Regional Food Choice
The CPI(M) criticised the VHP’s intervention, accusing it of trying to influence how Durga Puja is celebrated in Bengal.
Advocates of Religious Festival Restrictions
The VHP framed its request as a concern about religious sanctity and cleanliness rather than a demand for a statewide vegetarian diet.
- 2026 Assembly result
- The BJP won 208 of 294 seats, while the TMC won 80 seats.
- TMC parliamentary development
- Twenty of the TMC’s 28 elected MPs announced a merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and support for the NDA.
- School meals
- Meals in Kolkata Municipal Corporation-area schools were announced as vegetarian and prepared by ISKCON; eggs were later promised twice weekly through a separate scheme.
- Durga Puja controversy
- The VHP asked organisers not to permit the sale or consumption of non-vegetarian food around puja pandals.
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s appeal
- He urged Bengalis not to eat non-vegetarian food during Navratri and around Durga idols.
- BJP response
- West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said food choices should not be dictated, while Suvendu Adhikari defended the option of eating traditional fish bhog.
- Wider festival rules
- The government introduced restrictions including limits on liquor sales on Maha Ashtami and DJ music during immersion processions.