Bengal BJP chief rejects Bageshwar Baba’s appeal to stop non-veg sales during Durga Puja

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya has rejected Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri’s appeal to stop the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, saying Shastri has no authority to decide what Bengalis should eat.

Shastri, who was recently welcomed by the BJP government in West Bengal after previously being denied permission to hold religious events in the state under the Trinamool Congress regime, made the remarks during a religious discourse in Howrah on Sunday.

He appealed for meat and liquor shops near Durga Puja idols to remain closed during the festival and urged Hindus in Bengal to observe Navaratri. Shastri also said those consuming non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja were “impious”.

His remarks triggered criticism from sections of Bengal, with social media users accusing him of questioning the state’s dietary practices and cultural traditions.

Responding to the controversy, Bhattacharya said Bengalis would continue to eat fish and meat and argued that Shastri had no right to determine their dietary choices. He said the BJP had great respect for Shastri but added that Bengalis should not be concerned by his comments. Bhattacharya also referred to Swami Vivekananda’s views on Bengalis consuming fish and meat.

Opposition leaders also criticised Shastri’s remarks.

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said Durga Puja committees would conduct worship according to their own practices and questioned Shastri’s role in determining how the festival should be observed.

Suman Roy Chowdhury, spokesperson for the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, said dietary choices during Durga Puja could not be determined by any religious figure associated with the BJP and said his party would oppose such an attempt.