'Hurting Religious Sentiments': Congress Files Police Complaint Against Bageshwar Baba Over Durga Puja Meat Remark

State Bureau, Kolkata: The Congress has lodged a police complaint against Bageshwar Dham head Dhirendra Shastri for his alleged appeal to give up non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, alleging that his remarks hurt the religious sentiments of Bengali people and were aimed at disturbing social harmony.

In a complaint lodged with the officer-in-charge of Bhawanipur police station in Kolkata, the South Kolkata District Congress Committee alleged that Shastri had made 'derogatory' remarks during an event in Howrah on September 5.

In their complaint, District Congress Committee President Pradeep Prasad urged the cops to initiate immediate administrative action and register an FIR with necessary arrests.

The Congress alleged that these comments could create unrest in society and were against the spirit of democracy. Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, had appealed to Bengalis to give up non-vegetarian food during the Durga Puja festival. He had called those who ate meat on religious occasions "hypocrites."

ALSO READ: 'Bengalis Will Eat Fish, Meat': Bengal BJP Chief Rejects Bageshwar Baba's Call To Ban Non-Veg Food During Durga Puja

BJP rejects Bageshwar Baba's proposal

Leaders of the state unit of the BJP have also rejected Shastri's statement, fearing that it could trigger a row over an alleged attempt to dictate the traditional eating habits of Bengal.

Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, reacting on Tuesday to the statement made by Dhirendra Shastri, said that eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja is not a controversial issue.

Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Ghosh said that in Bengal, there has been a tradition of sacrificing goats during Durga Puja and consuming them as prasad. Eating goat meat is not a controversial issue in Bengal, he added.

Panchayat and Rural Development Minister also steered away from the statement, saying, "I myself don't eat any non-vegetarian food other than fish. But anyone who wants to eat anything should be allowed to do so."

ALSO READ: Liquor Shops, Bars To Remain Closed, DJ Banned On Maha Ashtami: Suvendu Adhikari Announces Rules For Bengal Durga Puja

The BJP leader questioned if people going to Bageshwar Dham can confidently claim that they do not eat fish or meat. He added the saint speaks from his own perspective and says vegetarian food is good for health.