Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Kolkata Complaint Escalates Controversy Over Shastri’s Durga Puja Food Remarks
Dhirendra Shastri spoke against eating fish and meat during Durga Puja.
He reportedly called people who eat such food hypocrites and asked Hindus to avoid them.
Congress leaders said these comments insulted Bengali culture and could create division.
Congress filed a police complaint in Kolkata and asked for an FIR and arrests.
Congress workers also protested outside the police station and announced plans to burn an effigy.
BJP leaders said Shastri should not decide what people in Bengal eat.
They pointed to Bengal’s traditions involving fish, meat and goat offerings during Durga Puja.
The disagreement has become both a cultural and political controversy.
The South Kolkata District Congress Committee filed a police complaint against Dhirendra Shastri at Bhawanipore Police Station.
Congress accused Shastri of hurting Bengali and Durga Puja sentiments and creating a risk of social disharmony.
At a Liluah event, Shastri reportedly called people eating fish or meat during Durga Puja “pakhandis” and referred to “dirty cooking.”
BJP leaders Samik Bhattacharya and Dilip Ghosh distanced themselves from the remarks and defended individual food choices.
Critics cited Bengal’s traditions of eating fish and meat, including goat meat offered as prasad during some Durga Puja rituals.
- Who
- Dhirendra Shastri, the South Kolkata District Congress Committee, BJP leaders Samik Bhattacharya and Dilip Ghosh, and critics including Trinamool Congress.
- What
- A police complaint and protests were launched over Shastri’s remarks criticizing non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
- When
- The complaint and protest were reported on Tuesday; the remarks were made at a Liluah event over the preceding weekend, with one report identifying September 5.
- Where
- The complaint and protest took place at Bhawanipore Police Station in Kolkata; the remarks were made in Liluah, Howrah.
- Why
- Congress said Shastri’s comments hurt Bengali and Durga Puja sentiments and could promote social disharmony.
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
Defenders of individual food choice
Cultural and religious impact
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
Congress and other critics said the comments insulted Bengali identity, hurt Durga Puja sentiments and risked creating social division.
Defenders of individual food choice
BJP leaders said food choices should remain with individuals and that Shastri had no authority to determine what people in Bengal eat.
Food during Durga Puja
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
Critics argued that fish and meat are part of Bengal’s multi-cuisine and religious traditions, including goat meat offered and consumed as prasad.
Defenders of individual food choice
Shastri urged Hindus to avoid non-vegetarian food during the festival, while BJP leaders said such advice reflected his personal or religious perspective rather than a rule for Bengal.
Political responsibility
Critics of Shastri’s remarks
Congress demanded police action and accused the BJP of enabling remarks that could disturb social harmony; Trinamool Congress said the BJP was trying to take fish and meat from Bengalis’ plates.
Defenders of individual food choice
BJP leaders distanced the party from Shastri’s comments and said Bengal’s people should be free to make their own choices.
- Accused
- Dhirendra Shastri, chief of Bageshwar Dham
- Complainant
- South Kolkata District Congress Committee, represented by Pradip Prasad
- Police station
- Bhawanipore Police Station, Kolkata
- Contested remarks
- Shastri criticized cooking and eating fish or meat during Durga Puja and used the term “pakhandi.”
- Congress demands
- An FIR, immediate administrative action and necessary arrests
- BJP response
- Samik Bhattacharya and Dilip Ghosh said Shastri could not dictate Bengal’s food choices.
- Cultural context
- BJP leaders and critics cited Bengal’s fish, meat and goat-sacrifice traditions during Durga Puja.
