Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Bengal CM Defends Freedom Over Food and Religious Practices
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said people should be free to choose what they eat.
He also said people should be free to follow their own religious traditions.
His comments came after remarks reportedly made by Dhirendra Shastri, known as Bageshwar Baba.
Shastri reportedly criticized non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
Adhikari said he had eaten fish offered as prasad after praying at Kalighat Temple.
He said this was part of one religious tradition.
He also said he would eat vegetarian food at another religious institution.
Adhikari argued that people should not be abused for their personal choices.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said people can choose their food habits and religious practices.
His comments followed purported remarks by godman Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba.
Shastri reportedly described non-vegetarian food as dirty and sought restrictions during Durga Puja.
Adhikari said he ate fish-head prasad and Basanti pulao after worshipping at Kalighat Temple.
He said he would later accept vegetarian satvik food at Baghbazar Gaudiya Math for Radha Ashtami.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and godman Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba.
- What
- Adhikari defended constitutional freedom in food choices and religious practices amid controversy over remarks about non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
- When
- Adhikari spoke at a summit on Saturday; he referred to worship on Thursday and a planned visit on September 19.
- Where
- The remarks were made at a summit, while the religious activities mentioned took place or are planned in Kolkata at Kalighat Temple and Baghbazar Gaudiya Math.
- Why
- Adhikari was responding to purported comments calling non-vegetarian food dirty and seeking restrictions on its consumption during Durga Puja.
Personal and Religious Freedom
Restrictions on Non-Vegetarian Food
Food choices during religious festivals
Personal and Religious Freedom
Adhikari said people have the constitutional freedom to choose their food habits and should not be targeted or abused for those choices.
Restrictions on Non-Vegetarian Food
Dhirendra Shastri reportedly described non-vegetarian food as dirty and called for restrictions on its consumption during Durga Puja.
Religious traditions
Personal and Religious Freedom
Adhikari said people may follow Vaishnav traditions or other religious practices, and that different traditions can include different food customs.
Restrictions on Non-Vegetarian Food
The reported remarks associated one particular food practice with religious observance and argued for limiting it during Durga Puja.
- Speaker
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
- Controversy
- Purported remarks by Dhirendra Shastri about non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja
- Constitutional position
- Adhikari said people have freedom to choose food habits and religious practices
- Kalighat offering
- Fish, including the head, and Basanti pulao were offered as prasad
- Upcoming visit
- Adhikari said he would visit Baghbazar Gaudiya Math on September 19
- Planned food
- He said he would accept satvik, or vegetarian, food there