Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Bengal’s non-veg debate revives Satyajit Ray’s Birinchi Baba
A religious leader named Dhirendra Krishna Shastri asked people not to sell non-vegetarian food near Durga Puja idols.
This request caused a debate in Bengal.
Many people compared him with Birinchi Baba, a fictional godman in Satyajit Ray’s film Mahapurush.
In the film, Birinchi Baba makes grand claims about knowing famous historical figures.
A reported Vishwa Hindu Parishad advisory had also asked that non-vegetarian food be kept away from festival venues.
The organization later said it did not want to force everyone to become vegetarian.
Many Bengalis said fish and meat are important parts of their traditions.
The debate also grew after Suvendu Adhikari appeared publicly with Shastri and invited him to establish a centre in the state.
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged Hindus in Bengal not to sell non-vegetarian food near Durga Puja idols during Navratri.
The appeal revived comparisons with Birinchi Baba, the fictional godman from Satyajit Ray’s 1965 film Mahapurush.
The controversy followed a reported Vishwa Hindu Parishad advisory calling for non-vegetarian food to be kept away from puja venues.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad later said it was not seeking to enforce vegetarianism during the festival.
Fish and meat remain important in many Bengali Shakta traditions, making restrictions a sensitive cultural issue.
- Who
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Suvendu Adhikari, and Bengali social-media users are central to the controversy.
- What
- A call to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga Puja idols and venues sparked a cultural debate and comparisons with Birinchi Baba.
- When
- The appeal was made during Navratri; a reported advisory was issued on August 26, and the article also references a 2026 social-media timeline.
- Where
- The controversy unfolded in West Bengal, particularly around Kolkata and Durga Puja celebrations.
- Why
- Supporters cited the sanctity and cleanliness of puja areas, while critics viewed restrictions on fish and meat as conflicting with Bengali cultural and religious traditions.
Cultural and religious restrictions
Bengali food traditions and pluralism
Food near puja venues
Cultural and religious restrictions
Supporters say keeping non-vegetarian food away from idols protects cleanliness and the sanctity of worship spaces.
Bengali food traditions and pluralism
Critics say fish and meat are important to many Bengali Shakta traditions and that restrictions can clash with the character of Durga Puja.
Festival identity
Cultural and religious restrictions
Shastri and political supporters frame the appeal as protecting Hindu culture during Navratri and Durga Puja.
Bengali food traditions and pluralism
Critics emphasize Durga Puja’s broad cultural character, including its association with shared public celebration across class, religion, and ethnic differences.
Scope of the advisory
Cultural and religious restrictions
The reported Vishwa Hindu Parishad guidance favored designated areas away from puja venues for non-vegetarian food.
Bengali food traditions and pluralism
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad later clarified that it was not seeking to enforce vegetarianism during the festival.
- Appeal
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri asked Hindus in Bengal not to sell non-vegetarian food near idols during Navratri.
- Film reference
- Birinchi Baba is the fictional godman in Satyajit Ray’s 1965 film Mahapurush.
- Reported advisory
- A reported Vishwa Hindu Parishad advisory called for non-vegetarian food to be restricted to designated areas away from puja venues.
- Vishwa Hindu Parishad position
- The organization later said it was not seeking to enforce vegetarianism during the festival.
- Political development
- Suvendu Adhikari shared a stage with Shastri and invited him to establish a Bageshwar Dham centre in West Bengal.
- Cultural context
- Fish and meat are significant in many Bengali Shakta traditions.
- Heritage recognition
- UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its intangible cultural heritage list in 2021.