Dhirendra Shastri’s call to ban non-veg food: Bengal BJP chief rejects spiritual leader’s appeal to ban meat, fish during Durga Puja
West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya rejected Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Krishna Shastri's appeal to avoid non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, saying no one could dictate what Bengalis should eat or wear.
Dhirendra Shastri’s Call To Ban Non-Veg Food: Bengal BJP chief rejects spiritual leader’s appeal to ban meat, fish during Durga Puja | Image: X
Ban Non-Veg Food During Durga Puja: Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri's call to ban non-veg food during Durga Puja has started a stir in the political arena. West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya on Monday also pushed back against Shastri's appeal to Bengalis, saying that no one, including religious figures or politicians, could dictate what people of Bengal should eat or wear.
What Did Samik Bhattacharya Say?
Bhattacharya said that food choices are a matter of personal freedom and the traditional food habits of the state cannot be changed following a religious leader's statement. 'We eat what we eat,' he said. "What one eats or wears is a personal choice. Bengal's food culture is diverse, and everyone has the freedom to follow their own preferences. Won't Bengalis have fish or mutton? Even Swami Vivekananda approved of it. No saint, leader, or anyone else has the right to decide what you should eat. Personal choice must remain personal," Bhattacharya said.
Dhirendra Shastri's Non-Veg Remark
Responding to the remarks, Bhattacharya said Shastri had the right to advocate vegetarianism, but his views could not be imposed on Bengali society.
Shastri, during his Howrah visit, had requested people of Bengal to not to eat non-veg food during Durga Puja, saying that those who consume non-veg during the auspicious festival are Pakhandis.
"We cannot say much about a saintly figure. His kathas are famous across the country, and hundreds of thousands of people went to Howrah to listen to him. Anyone can advocate for vegetarianism and that doesn't make it a crime or a sin. However, if someone uses a word like hypocrite, we do not endorse that," he said.
Bhattacharya Defends Bengal's Traditional Non-Vegetarian Food Habits
The WB BJP chief stated that non-veg food is an important part of traditional Bengali food and it also included in offerings during religious festivals.
"I am a political worker. What a sadhu says here or a maulvi says there what does that have to do with us?" he said, adding that Durga Puja was approaching and Bengalis traditionally eat luchi (poori) on Ashtami and kochi patha (goat meat) on Navami."
"Here, goat meat is offered as an offering to Maa Kali," Bhattacharya added.
Shastri's Bengal Visit Takes Political Turn Amid BJP-TMC Permission Row
The WB BJP chief's remarks came after Shastri's several religious programmes across West Bengal. His visit took a political turn, as Shastri was able to hold programs under the BJP government despite allegations that he didn't get permission during the TMC government.
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