Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Bageshwar Baba Remarks Trigger Complaints and Arrest Dispute
Dhirendra Shastri, also called Bageshwar Baba, spoke at a religious event in Howrah.
He criticised non-vegetarian food being cooked near Durga Puja pandals.
He called people who ate such food “pakhandis,” meaning hypocrites.
Congress leaders said these words insulted Bengalis and West Bengal.
They filed complaints at several police stations.
Another dispute began after someone burned a picture or poster of Shastri near a police station.
A senior state leader told police to arrest those who burned it.
Police later filed an FIR against one person, but no arrest had been reported by Thursday night.
Shastri said he had not meant to give orders and only opposed meat and animal sacrifice at the festival site.
Dhirendra Shastri, known as Bageshwar Baba, faced several complaints over remarks about non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and Bengalis.
Congress leaders lodged complaints at multiple Kolkata police stations and continued protesting against Shastri’s comments.
A senior state leader called for the arrest of people accused of burning Shastri’s picture outside Bhowanipore police station.
Police registered an FIR against one person over the alleged burning of a poster, but no arrest had been reported by Thursday night.
Shastri later said he had only urged people to avoid meat at Durga Puja pandals, while claiming they remained free to eat it at home.
- Who
- Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba; Congress leaders and supporters; and people accused of burning his picture or poster.
- What
- Several complaints and one reported FIR followed Shastri’s remarks about non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and protests against him.
- When
- The complaints were filed during and after Shastri’s recent three-day visit; an FIR was reported on Thursday after the protests.
- Where
- Shastri spoke at a Hanumant Katha event in Liluah, Howrah; complaints and the FIR involved police stations in Kolkata and Asansol.
- Why
- Congress leaders objected to remarks they said maligned Bengal and Bengalis, while authorities ordered action over the alleged burning of Shastri’s picture or poster.
Congress Critics
Shastri and His Supporters’ Position
Meaning of the remarks
Congress Critics
Congress leaders said Shastri’s comments about non-vegetarian food and people described as “pakhandis” were objectionable and maligned Bengal and Bengalis.
Shastri and His Supporters’ Position
Shastri said he was urging people to avoid non-vegetarian food at Durga Puja pandals and opposing animal sacrifice, not issuing a general ban on eating meat.
Response to protests
Congress Critics
Congress supporters said they were protesting because an outsider had disparaged Bengalis and said they would continue demonstrating.
Shastri and His Supporters’ Position
A senior state leader called for the arrest of people accused of burning Shastri’s picture, saying such conduct would not be tolerated.
Police action
Congress Critics
Congress leaders continued filing complaints against Shastri, including another complaint after the call for arrests.
Shastri and His Supporters’ Position
Police registered an FIR against a person over the alleged burning of a poster and began an investigation; no arrest had been reported at the time.
- Person named
- Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba
- Event
- Three-day Hanumant Katha programme
- Event location
- Liluah, Howrah
- Complaints against Shastri
- Filed at New Market, Park Street, Amherst Street, Bowbazar and Bhowanipore police stations
- Police action
- An FIR was registered at Bhowanipore police station against one person over the alleged burning of a poster
- Arrest status
- No arrest had been reported by late Thursday night
- Shastri’s clarification
- He said people could eat meat at home and that he had spoken against meat at Durga Puja pandals and animal sacrifice
