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Kolkata Complaint Follows Shastri’s Durga Puja Food Remarks
Dhirendra Shastri made comments about people in Bengal eating meat and fish during Durga Puja.
He said people who eat such food during Navratri were hypocrites and should be avoided.
Some people in Bengal were offended because eating fish and meat is part of local religious and cultural traditions.
A Congress leader filed a police complaint in Kolkata.
The complaint said Shastri had hurt Bengali sentiments and could create division.
BJP leaders tried to reduce the controversy by saying that people should choose their own food.
They also said goat meat is traditionally offered and eaten during some Durga Puja rituals.
The dispute is therefore about both religious customs and personal freedom.
It has also become a political issue between Bengal’s parties and leaders.
A police complaint was filed in Kolkata against Dhirendra Shastri over remarks about meat and fish consumption during Durga Puja.
Congress leader Pradip Prasad accused Shastri of hurting Bengali sentiments and promoting social disharmony.
Shastri had called Bengalis who eat non-vegetarian food during Navratri “pakhandis” and urged people to boycott them.
BJP leaders said Shastri could not dictate Bengal’s food choices and defended the region’s fish, meat and goat-sacrifice traditions.
The complaint followed Shastri’s appearance at an event in Liluah, where he had also attended a dinner with senior state BJP figures.
- Who
- Dhirendra Shastri, Congress leader Pradip Prasad, and Bengal BJP leaders including Dilip Ghosh and Samik Bhattacharya.
- What
- A police complaint was filed against Shastri over comments criticizing non-vegetarian food consumption during Durga Puja.
- Where
- The complaint was filed at Bhowanipore Police Station in Kolkata; the remarks were made in Liluah, Howrah.
- When
- The complaint was lodged on Tuesday after Shastri made the remarks at an event on Sunday.
- Why
- The complainant alleged that Shastri’s comments hurt Bengali and Durga Puja sentiments and risked creating social disharmony.
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
Defenders of food choice and tradition
Impact on Bengali sentiments
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
Pradip Prasad and other critics said Shastri’s comments insulted Bengalis, hurt Durga Puja sentiments and could promote social division.
Defenders of food choice and tradition
BJP leaders distanced themselves from Shastri’s attempt to prescribe what people in Bengal should eat.
Food during Durga Puja
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
Critics said fish and meat are part of Bengal’s multi-cuisine and religious traditions, including offerings and prasad associated with Durga Puja.
Defenders of food choice and tradition
Dilip Ghosh said saints may recommend vegetarian food from their own perspective, but people should be allowed to eat what they choose.
Role of political leadership
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
The complaint called for administrative action and argued that the comments required a police response.
Defenders of food choice and tradition
BJP leaders focused on damage control, while Ghosh separately criticized political interference and government control over community Durga Puja celebrations.
Key facts
- Accused
- Dhirendra Shastri, head of the Bageshwar Dham
- Complaint filed by
- Pradip Prasad, south Kolkata district Congress president
- Police station
- Bhowanipore Police Station, Kolkata
- Contested remarks
- Shastri criticized non-vegetarian food consumption during Navratri and Durga Puja
- BJP response
- Leaders said Bengal’s people should be free to choose what they eat
- Cultural context
- BJP leaders cited Bengal’s traditions of fish, meat and goat sacrifice during Durga Puja
- Event location
- Liluah, Howrah
Quotes
Samik Bhattacharya
Bengal BJP president and Rajya Sabha member.
“In Bengal, during Navratri non-vegetarian food is consumed behind Durga Puja pandals. Dirty food is cooked. This Navratri the Hindus from Kolkata should wake up and boycott such people. Those who consume non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja are impious.”
telegraphindia.com
“Bengal has a tradition of goat sacrifice during Durga Puja and that is consumed as prasad. Eating goat meat here is not a matter of controversy. I don't eat anything except fish, but whoever wants to eat whatever they want should be allowed to do so.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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