West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya on Monday rejected Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri's appeal to Bengalis to avoid non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, stating that he has no right to decide what people in the state will eat.
Shastri Calls Non-Veg Consumers 'Impious'
Despite earlier pushback from the Trinamool regime, Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, was warmly welcomed by the BJP to hold his religious events in West Bengal.
Speaking at a pravachan (religious or spiritual discourse) in Howrah on Sunday, he appealed for a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food near Durga idols during the festive period. He also urged Hindus in Bengal to observe the festival with devotion, even if they do not install a Durga idol at home or in the neighbourhood.
"Who wants the sale of non-vegetarian food to stop? Please indicate this by turning on the lights of your mobile phones. This message needs to reach every person in West Bengal, and the government needs to be made aware of this issue. Meat and liquor shops in West Bengal should remain closed during Durga Puja," Shastri said.
"Those who consume non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja are impious," he added.
State BJP Reacts To Shastri's Remark
Shastri's comments triggered strong reactions online, with residents calling the remarks an attack on Bengali dietary habits and their long-standing cultural heritage. Amid the controversy, Bhattacharya said that Shastri comes from "another world" and Bengalis should not be concerned about his comments.
"Bageshwar Baba comes from another 'dunia'. Bageshwar Baba has no right to decide what the people of Bengal will eat and what not. Bengalis will eat fish and meat. Vivekananda has spoken in favour of Bengalis consuming meat and fish. We have great respect for Bageswar Baba, but Bengalis should not be concerned about his comment," Bhattacharya said.
Opposition Leaders Condemn Remarks
Opposition leaders have also condemned Shastri's statements, calling them an attack on the freedom and traditions of the people of Bengal.
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"If someone from outside comes and sets everything right, what will happen to the freedom of the people of Bengal? Durga Puja committees will worship as people want. They will follow the rules. Where does Baba Bageshwar come into this?" Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said.
"What Bengalis will eat during Durgapuja cannot be fixed by any BJP Baba. We will not allow that to happen," Suman Roy Chowdhury, spokesperson for the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, said.