1 day ago
Bengal Congress Seeks Action Over Seer’s Food Comments
The West Bengal Congress complained to police about a religious saint’s comments.
The saint said non-vegetarian food should not be near Durga Puja mandaps or eaten during Navratri in the state.
Congress leaders said the words were insulting to Bengali culture and food traditions.
They also said the remarks could divide people based on language and identity.
One complaint was filed at a Kolkata police station.
Another was sent to Kolkata Police by email.
A senior BJP leader said people should be free to choose what they eat and wear.
The disagreement is about culture, personal choice and what should happen during a public festival.
The West Bengal Congress filed a police complaint against a religious saint over comments about Bengali food during Durga Puja and Navratri.
The complaint was lodged at Bhowanipur Police Station, with another complaint emailed to Kolkata Police.
Congress leaders said the remarks, including “ganda ganda cooking” and “pakhandi,” hurt Bengali cultural and religious sentiments.
The Congress alleged that comments about food, language and Bengali identity could harm social harmony.
West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya said food and clothing are personal choices that no one should decide for others.
- Who
- The West Bengal Congress, represented by Pradeep Prasad and Manas Sarkar, complained against an unnamed religious saint; BJP President Samik Bhattacharya defended personal choice.
- What
- Congress sought an FIR and legal action over the saint’s remarks about Bengali food choices, Durga Puja, Navratri and Bengali identity.
- Where
- The complaint was filed at Bhowanipur Police Station in south Kolkata, while the disputed remarks were made at an event in Liluah, Howrah district.
- When
- The complaint was filed on Tuesday; Bhattacharya commented on Monday.
- Why
- Congress said the remarks hurt Bengali cultural sentiments and could damage social harmony.
Congress’s Cultural-Harmony Objection
BJP’s Personal-Choice Position
Food during festivals
Congress’s Cultural-Harmony Objection
Congress said outsiders should not prescribe or make derogatory comments about Bengali food habits around Durga Puja and should respect Bengal’s cultural diversity.
BJP’s Personal-Choice Position
Samik Bhattacharya said what a person eats or wears is a personal choice and no one has the right to decide it.
Effect on society
Congress’s Cultural-Harmony Objection
Congress alleged that remarks about food, language and Bengali identity could hurt sentiments and harm social harmony.
BJP’s Personal-Choice Position
The article does not report a separate response from the religious saint to the Congress complaint.
Key facts
- Complaint filed at
- Bhowanipur Police Station, south Kolkata
- Additional complaint
- Emailed to Kolkata Police by Manas Sarkar
- Disputed topics
- Non-vegetarian food near Durga Puja mandaps and during Navratri
- Quoted words
- “ganda ganda cooking” and “pakhandi”
- Congress demand
- An immediate FIR and legal action after investigation
- BJP position
- Food and clothing are personal choices that no one should decide for others
- Reported event location
- Liluah in Howrah district
Quotes
Samik Bhattacharya
West Bengal BJP president commenting on personal food choices
“Durga Puja is one of the most important and prestigious festivals of West Bengal. Bengalis have a long-standing social, cultural and food culture around this festival. If outsiders make prescriptive or derogatory comments about Bengali food habits in that context, it can have a negative impact on social harmony. He used words like 'Ganda Ganda Cooking' and 'Pakhandi' in his speech. Such comments are tantamount to disrespecting the cultural identity of the people of Bengal and the emotions6]”
thehansindia.com
“It is not acceptable for any individual or organisation to try to determine the personal eating habits of Bengalis around a public festival like Durga Puja. It is necessary to show respect for Bengal's own culture, tradition and social diversity.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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