Kolkata: A massive political controversy has erupted in West Bengal following remarks made by Bageshwar Dham chief priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Baba Bageshwar, regarding the dietary habits of Bengalis during the upcoming Durga Puja festival. Taking strong exception to his statements, the West Bengal Congress has lodged multiple police complaints, accusing the spiritual leader of insulting Bengali culture and hurting religious sentiments.
During a recent event in Howrah’s Liluah, Shastri sparked a row by appealing to the public to avoid cooking, consuming, or selling non-vegetarian food near Durga Puja pandals during Navratri. He allegedly described those who consume meat and fish during the religious festival as “hypocrites” and referred to non-vegetarian meals as “dirty food.” He further urged the attendees to boycott people and places that endorse such practices.
The remarks have drawn severe backlash in a state where fish and meat are deeply intertwined with social, cultural, and religious traditions. In Bengal, the consumption of non-vegetarian food and the customary offering of meat to deities are integral aspects of Shakta Hinduism and traditional Durga Puja celebrations.
Condemning the comments, South Kolkata District Congress Committee president Pradip Prasad filed a formal complaint at the Bhawanipur police station, seeking an immediate FIR and the arrest of Shastri. Another complaint was lodged at the Muchipara police station by Central Kolkata District Congress president Manas Sarkar.
“In Bengal, Durga Puja is not merely a religious festival but an integral part of our social and cultural heritage. Uttering such vile sentences and dictating what to eat during our prestigious festival is a direct insult to Bengali identity and an attempt to spark disharmony in society,” Prasad stated in his complaint.
In a rare alignment on the issue, the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership was quick to distance itself from the controversial remarks. Facing mounting criticism on social media, Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya clarified that dietary habits cannot be dictated by any outsider.
“No religious leader or political party will decide what we eat in Bengal. Bengalis will eat what they traditionally eat, be it fish or mutton. Even Swami Vivekananda approved of it,” Bhattacharya told reporters. “While Dhirendra Shastri has the personal right to appeal for vegetarianism, his views are not binding. No outsider can dictate the food habits and traditions of the people of Bengal.”
The controversy has once again ignited the debate over the preservation of Bengal’s unique cultural identity and religious practices, with political circles closely watching whether the police will initiate formal action against the Bageshwar Dham chief ahead of the state’s biggest festival.