Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Suvendu Adhikari Orders Arrests Over Shastri Photo Burning
Dhirendra Shastri asked people not to eat or sell meat near religious celebrations during Durga Puja.
He also criticized people who ignored his appeal.
Many Bengali Hindus commonly eat fish and meat during the festival, and some communities perform animal sacrifice.
This made some people angry.
Congress workers protested, and some people reportedly burned pictures of Shastri.
Congress also filed police complaints against him.
Suvendu Adhikari said Shastri was only sharing his beliefs, not forcing anyone to follow them.
He told police to arrest people who burned the photographs.
Other politicians said Bengalis should decide what they eat and celebrate.
Suvendu Adhikari directed Kolkata police to arrest people allegedly burning Dhirendra Shastri’s photographs.
Shastri urged people not to cook or consume fish and meat during Durga Puja.
He also said meat should not be sold near goddess idols during the festival.
Critics said the remarks challenged Bengali food customs, culture and festival traditions.
Congress filed complaints against Shastri, while the Trinamool Congress and BJP state chief defended Bengali food choices.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, religious leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Congress workers, and other West Bengal political parties.
- What
- A dispute over Shastri’s remarks about meat and fish during Durga Puja escalated after photographs of him were allegedly burned and arrests were ordered.
- When
- Shastri made the remarks on Sunday; Congress filed complaints on Tuesday; Adhikari issued the arrest direction on Thursday.
- Where
- The remarks were made at a religious event in Liluah, Howrah; protests and alleged photograph burning were reported in Kolkata.
- Why
- Shastri urged restrictions on non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, while critics said the appeal challenged Bengali food customs and traditions.
Critics and Bengali-Tradition Defenders
Shastri Supporters and Defenders
Food during Durga Puja
Critics and Bengali-Tradition Defenders
Critics argued that Shastri had no right to decide what people in Bengal eat and said fish and meat are part of Bengali festival customs.
Shastri Supporters and Defenders
Shastri urged people to avoid cooking and consuming non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and opposed selling meat near goddess idols.
Meaning of Shastri’s remarks
Critics and Bengali-Tradition Defenders
Congress said the comments hurt Bengali sentiments and insulted Bengal’s culture and traditions.
Shastri Supporters and Defenders
Suvendu Adhikari said Shastri was expressing his own beliefs and traditions rather than imposing them on anyone.
Response to photograph burning
Critics and Bengali-Tradition Defenders
Protesters reportedly burned photographs of Shastri to express opposition to his remarks.
Shastri Supporters and Defenders
Adhikari said burning anyone’s photographs to express an opinion would not be tolerated and directed police to make arrests.
- Religious leader
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, head of the Bageshwar Dham temple
- Festival dates
- Durga Puja is scheduled to run from October 6 through October 10
- Shastri’s appeal
- He urged people not to cook or consume fish and meat during Durga Puja and said meat should not be sold near goddess idols
- Reported protest
- Some people allegedly burned Shastri’s photographs outside Bhawanipore police station in Kolkata
- Police direction
- Suvendu Adhikari directed the Kolkata police commissioner to arrest those accused of burning the photographs
- Congress complaints
- The Congress’ West Bengal unit accused Shastri of hurting Bengali sentiments and insulting the state’s culture and traditions
- Political reactions
- The Trinamool Congress and BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya said Bengalis should decide what they eat and celebrate
