• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. CM Suvendu Adhikari relished fish at Kalighat temple.
  2. Action taken amid Bageshwar Baba's non-veg appeal row.
  3. Reinforced Bengal's traditional fish offerings at temple.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari relished fish at the centuries-old Kalighat temple in Kolkata, showing that the Bharatiya Janata Party's attempt to defuse the controversy erupted after Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, appealed to Bengalis to quit non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.

Baba Bageshwar had appealed to Bengalis to abstain from eating meat during Durga Puja and had called those who ate meat on religious occasions hypocrites, triggering a row in West Bengal as non-vegetarian foods are part of Bengal's tradition. Both the BJP and the Congress rejected Baba Bageshwar's statement, but the controversy persisted. Now, the chief minister visited iconic Kalighat and offered prayers. He ate a fish as prasad (offering), sending a clear message that his government and the party are not against non-vegetarian food.

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

CM Adhikari visited Kalighat Thursday evening for Kaushiki Amavasya, which Shakta Hindus consider auspicious. A video showed the chief minister sitting on the ground and eating the offerings, which included a large fish head – a speciality of the Kalighat offerings plate. There was also fried fish and basanti pulao (yellow rice).

At Kalighat, it is customary to offer fish (fish bhog) and the meat of a sacrificed goat to the presiding deity, Maa Kali. Devotees later partake of the offering.

An Attempt To End The Controversy

The BJP in Bengal has often faced allegations that it is trying to impose vegetarian eating habits from northern states in predominantly meat-eating Bengal, a claim the party has repeatedly denied. At the same time, the video of Adhikari eating meat while sitting in the temple clearly indicates that he wants the vegetarian-non-vegetarian debate to end.

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

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, "Let the controversy end where it should. At Kalighat, CM @SuvenduWB takes part in Maa Kali’s traditional Fish Bhog — respecting Bengal’s faith, traditions and way of life. Under his leadership, the BJP will always stand firmly for Bengal’s interests, Bengal’s traditions and what is right for Bengal. Joy Ma!."

(With Jagran.com inputs)


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