• Source:JND

During a poll campaign in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at the historic Thanthania Kalibari temple in Kolkata. The prime minister's visit is seen as a symbolic rebuttal in an ongoing poll clash between BJP and TMC over food culture.

The deity at Thanthania Kalibari is offered a non-vegetarian prasad. PM Modi visited the temple before starting his roadshow in North Kolkata.

The temple is one of Kolkata's oldest and most respected Kali temples, established in 1703.

Having a history of over 300 years, the deity is worshipped as Maa Siddheshwari and is referred to be 'Jagrat', spiritually awakened.

The visit gains political significance as TMC has accused the BJP of anti-Maach (Fish), alleging that its inception to the power would lead to meat ban and a fish ban.

ALSO READ: Bengal Election: BJP, TMC Exchange Barbs Over Non-Veg Food; How Relevant Is Issue In Poll-Bound State?

CM Mamata, who is eyeing her fourth term in West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, has alleged that the BJP could interfere in the state's food culture if voted to power. To back its claims, the TMC has cited restrictions on the sale of fish and meat in some NDA-ruled states such as Gujarat and Bihar during festivals.

Given the importance that non-veg food holds in Bengali tradition, the BJP has been rejecting the TMC allegations.

State president Samik Bhattacharya and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar had clarified that the party has no plan to ban non-vegetarian food and that people’s food choices will be respected.

Recently, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Anurag Thakur was seen having 'maach-bhaat', a traditional Bengali fish-rice meal. His video had gone viral on social media.

Another popular BJP leader and Nagaland minister Temjen Imna Along shared a video of himself eating meat dishes with caption, "Mamata Didi, I am in the BJP and a non-vegetarian by hobby."

ALSO READ: PM Modi Accuses TMC Govt of Importing Fish; Mamata Hits Back; Check Reality Of Bengal Fishery Sector

Temple priest reacts to PM Modi's visit

Reacting to the prime minister's visit to Thanthania Kalibari, temple priest Gunasendu Bhattacharya said, "Prime Minister came here and offered prayers/ he offered Garland to the goddess along with Prasad. He spent a while sitting here and offering Aarti to maa. I told him about the glorious history of the temple, and he listened to it patiently. What prayers he offers. I don’t know, but I’m sure he has offered prayers for the welfare of the country."


Also In News