Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Bengal BJP Chief Rejects Bageshwar Baba’s Meat Appeal
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also called Bageshwar Baba, asked people in West Bengal not to eat fish or meat during Durga Puja and Navratri.
He also wanted meat and liquor shops near Durga idols to close.
He described people who ignored the appeal as impious or heretical.
West Bengal BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya disagreed with him.
Bhattacharya said Bengalis should continue eating their traditional foods.
He mentioned luchi on Ashtami and mutton or goat meat on Navami.
He also pointed to Swami Vivekananda and the practice of offering goat meat to Goddess Kali.
Opposition parties said an outside religious figure or political party should not dictate Bengali food habits.
The argument is about personal choice, religious advice and Bengal’s local traditions.
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged Hindus in West Bengal to avoid non-vegetarian food during Navratri and Durga Puja.
Shastri called for meat and liquor shops, especially those near Durga idols, to close during the festival.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said no visiting religious figure could decide what Bengalis eat or wear.
Bhattacharya defended traditional foods including luchi on Ashtami and goat meat or mutton on Navami.
TMC, Congress and CPI(M) leaders criticized the appeal, while economist Sanjeev Sanyal cited meat’s role in Shakta rituals.
- Who
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri; West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya; TMC MP Saugata Roy; Congress leaders Suman Roy Chowdhury and Subhankar Sarkar; CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty; and economist Sanjeev Sanyal.
- What
- A dispute over Shastri’s appeal to stop or restrict non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and Bhattacharya’s rejection of any such prescription.
- When
- Shastri made the remarks during a Howrah religious gathering held September 4-6; reactions and reports followed on September 7-8, 2026.
- Where
- Howrah, Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal.
- Why
- Shastri said restrictions would support religious observance, while Bhattacharya and critics defended Bengali traditions, personal choice and religious practices involving meat.
Bengali Traditions and Personal Choice
Religious Restrictions During Durga Puja
Eating meat during the festival
Bengali Traditions and Personal Choice
Samik Bhattacharya and other critics said Bengalis should remain free to eat fish and meat, including luchi on Ashtami and mutton or goat meat on Navami.
Religious Restrictions During Durga Puja
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged people to stop eating non-vegetarian food during Navratri and Durga Puja, and criticized those who continued doing so.
Who can set food practices?
Bengali Traditions and Personal Choice
Bhattacharya, opposition leaders and critics said an outside religious figure or political party should not dictate what people in Bengal eat or wear.
Religious Restrictions During Durga Puja
Shastri appealed for restrictions on non-vegetarian food sales and for meat and liquor shops near Durga idols to close during the festival.
Religion and Bengali customs
Bengali Traditions and Personal Choice
Bhattacharya and Sanjeev Sanyal pointed to Bengali and Shakta traditions in which meat is eaten or offered during religious observances.
Religious Restrictions During Durga Puja
Shastri promoted Navratri observance and rituals that discourage non-vegetarian consumption during the festive period.
- Shastri’s appeal
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged people not to cook or eat fish and meat during Durga Puja and Navratri.
- Requested closures
- He called for meat and liquor shops in West Bengal, particularly those near Durga idols, to remain closed during the festival.
- BJP response
- Samik Bhattacharya said Shastri had the right to make an appeal but not to decide what Bengalis should eat or wear.
- Traditional foods
- Bhattacharya said Bengalis traditionally eat luchi on Ashtami and mutton or goat meat on Navami.
- Religious references
- Bhattacharya cited Swami Vivekananda and the offering of goat meat to Goddess Kali in support of his position.
- Political reactions
- TMC, Congress and CPI(M) leaders criticized the appeal and questioned the BJP’s support for Shastri.
- Sanjeev Sanyal’s view
- Sanyal said meat is central to Shakta Hinduism and is included in rituals associated with Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali.
Sources
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Non-Veg Controversy: Storyteller Urges West Bengal To Quit Non-Veg In Navratri; BJP Leader Says We'll Eat Luchi And Kochi Patha | VIDEO
‘Bengalis will eat what they always have’: State BJP chief after Bageshwar Baba kicks up row
Bengal BJP Chief Rejects Hindu Priest's Call To Ban Meat During Durga Puja
