2 hrs ago
Bengal CM Orders Arrests Over Shastri Photo Burning
Dhirendra Shastri said meat should not be sold or eaten near religious celebrations during Durga Puja.
Many Bengali Hindus disagreed because eating meat is common during the festival.
Some protesters reportedly burned pictures of Shastri outside a Kolkata police station.
The Congress also filed complaints against him.
Suvendu Adhikari defended Shastri and said he was only expressing an opinion.
Adhikari then told police to arrest people who burned the photographs.
Other politicians said Shastri should not decide what Bengalis eat.
The disagreement is about religious views, festival traditions, and freedom to express opinions.
Suvendu Adhikari directed police to arrest people who allegedly burned photographs of religious leader Dhirendra Shastri.
Shastri had called for a ban on selling or eating meat near goddess idols during Durga Puja.
His remarks triggered protests because eating meat and animal sacrifice are customary for some Bengali Hindus during the festival.
The Congress’ West Bengal unit filed police complaints accusing Shastri of hurting Bengali sentiments and insulting local traditions.
The Trinamool Congress and BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya both said Bengalis should decide what they eat and celebrate, despite differing political positions.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, religious leader Dhirendra Shastri, Congress protesters, and other West Bengal political parties.
- What
- A dispute over Shastri’s call for meat restrictions during Durga Puja escalated after people allegedly burned his photographs and Adhikari ordered arrests.
- Where
- The remarks were made at a religious event in Liluah, Howrah, while protests and complaints were reported in Kolkata and elsewhere in West Bengal.
- When
- Shastri made the remarks on Sunday; Congress filed complaints on Tuesday; Adhikari issued the arrest direction on Thursday.
- Why
- Shastri said meat should not be sold near goddess idols during Durga Puja, while critics said the remarks challenged Bengali food customs and festival traditions.
Critics and Festival-Tradition Defenders
Shastri Supporters and Defenders
Meat during Durga Puja
Critics and Festival-Tradition Defenders
Critics argued that Shastri has no right to decide what people in Bengal eat and said meat and fish are part of Bengali festival customs.
Shastri Supporters and Defenders
Shastri said he objected to non-vegetarian food being eaten during the festival and called for meat not to be sold near the goddess’s idol.
Response to the protests
Critics and Festival-Tradition Defenders
Congress workers protested, and the Congress filed complaints alleging that Shastri hurt Bengali sentiments and insulted the state’s culture and traditions.
Shastri Supporters and Defenders
Suvendu Adhikari said Shastri was expressing his views rather than imposing them and directed police to arrest those who burned his photographs.
Key facts
- Religious leader
- Dhirendra Shastri, head of the Bageshwar Dham temple
- Festival
- Durga Puja, scheduled in the report from October 6 to October 10
- Controversial remark
- Shastri called for restrictions on meat near goddess idols during the festival
- Police direction
- Suvendu Adhikari directed the police commissioner to arrest people who burned Shastri’s photographs
- Congress action
- The Congress’ West Bengal unit filed police complaints against Shastri
- Political response
- The Trinamool Congress said Bengalis would not accept dictates about what they eat or celebrate
- BJP response
- State chief Samik Bhattacharya said Bengalis should not be concerned about Shastri’s comments
Quotes
Samik Bhattacharya
Bharatiya Janata Party chief of West Bengal
“He has no right to decide what the people of Bengal will eat and what not. Bengalis will eat fish and meat. We have great respect for [Shastri], but Bengalis should not be concerned about his comment.”
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“Those who want to accept will accept, and those who do not want will not. He did not impose it on anyone.”
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Sources
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