4 days ago
VHP Clarifies Durga Puja Meat Guidance Was Not Official
A debate began after comments linked to the VHP were understood as asking Durga Puja organisers in West Bengal to stop selling or eating non-vegetarian food near pandals.
Some VHP representatives supported the idea as part of traditional festival practices.
JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak supported stopping meat and fish sales but asked what would happen to meat from animal sacrifices.
Congress leader Udit Raj said the VHP should not tell people what they can eat.
VHP International President Alok Kumar later said the organisation had not issued any such guideline.
He said food was not discussed at the organisers’ meeting.
According to Kumar, Swami Nirgunananda only gave a personal suggestion about cleanliness and hygiene at food stalls.
Kumar said traditions, devotion, cleanliness and hygiene should still be maintained at the pandals.
VHP International President Alok Kumar said the organisation issued no directions on food at Bengal’s Durga Puja pandals.
Kumar said a suggestion about food-stall cleanliness was made personally by Swami Nirgunananda during a press conference.
Earlier reports described VHP remarks urging organisers to restrict the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food near pandals.
JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak supported stopping meat and fish sales but questioned how the rule would apply to animal sacrifices.
Congress leader Udit Raj opposed the reported demand, saying dietary choices are constitutionally protected and the VHP lacks authority to regulate them.
- Who
- The Vishva Hindu Parishad, VHP International President Alok Kumar, Swami Nirgunananda, JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak, VHP leader Upasana Arora and Congress leader Udit Raj.
- What
- A political debate over reported VHP remarks on non-vegetarian food at Durga Puja pandals, followed by Kumar’s clarification that no official food guideline was issued.
- Where
- The controversy concerns Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal, while several reactions were given in Delhi.
- When
- The reported remarks were issued on Friday ahead of Durga Puja, and Alok Kumar issued his clarification on Saturday; no dates were provided.
- Why
- The debate concerned religious traditions, food choices, cleanliness and hygiene at pandals, and whether the VHP had authority to issue directions.
Supporters and VHP Representatives
Critics and Clarification
Status of the food restriction
Supporters and VHP Representatives
Upasana Arora viewed avoiding meat and alcohol during Durga Puja as consistent with traditional practices and Indian cultural values. Shyam Rajak also called stopping meat and fish sales a positive step.
Critics and Clarification
Alok Kumar said the VHP had issued no such guideline or decision, and that food was not discussed at the organisers’ meeting.
Authority over dietary choices
Supporters and VHP Representatives
Supporters presented the reported restriction as a way to preserve the traditional and devotional atmosphere around the goddess’s idol.
Critics and Clarification
Udit Raj said the VHP was not an elected authority and had no right to prescribe what people should eat.
Animal sacrifice
Supporters and VHP Representatives
Rajak supported restricting meat and fish sales during the festival.
Critics and Clarification
Rajak also argued that the VHP should first address animal sacrifice, questioning how meat produced through that practice would be treated.
Key facts
- Organisation
- Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)
- Festival
- Durga Puja
- Region
- West Bengal
- VHP clarification
- Alok Kumar said no official decision or guideline concerned vegetarian or non-vegetarian food.
- Reported suggestion
- Swami Nirgunananda suggested maintaining cleanliness and hygiene at food stalls inside pandals.
- Political reaction
- Shyam Rajak supported stopping meat and fish sales but raised questions about animal-sacrifice meat.
- Criticism
- Udit Raj said dietary choices are a constitutional right and questioned the VHP’s authority.
Quotes
Shyam Rajak
JD(U) National General Secretary
“Therefore, I want to clarify that no decision has been taken regarding the consumption of vegetarian or non-vegetarian food (at Durga Puja Pandals in Bengal). There is no guideline and no opinion was conveyed regarding this, at the meeting. Swamiji expressed his own view during the press conference, so framing narratives on that is not right.”
thehansindia.com
“Vishva Hindu Parishad has not issued any directions regarding the arrangements at Durga Puja pandals (in West Bengal). We know that we don't have any right to issue such directions and we don't make such claims.”
thehansindia.com
Upasana Arora
President of the VHP’s Indraprastha Province
“I see this in a very positive way because, ever since I can remember, from my childhood, I have seen that during Durga Puja, people generally stop consuming meat and alcohol in their homes.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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