# Dhirendra Shastri Clarifies West Bengal Non-Veg Controversy, Says He Spoke Against Animal Sacrifice Not Food

> Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Shastri has addressed the non-vegetarian controversy in West Bengal, clarifying that his remarks were twisted and he never commented on anyone's dietary habits, but strictly opposed animal sacrifice.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Religion · **Published:** 2026-09-10 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/religion/west-bengal-ke-nonaveja-vivada-para-dhirendra-shastri-ki-saphai-kaha-mainne-sirpha-bali-pratha-ka-kiya-tha-virodha-31046 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Dhirendra Shastri, West Bengal, Animal Sacrifice, Durga Puja, Bageshwar Dham

Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri has responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding non-vegetarian food in West Bengal, stating that his statements were deliberately misinterpreted. Shastri maintained that he never made any remarks regarding anyone's personal dietary choices or clothing. He noted that he was recently coming from West Bengal, and discussions and debates erupted immediately after his departure from the region.

 

## Maintaining Sanctity During Durga Puja
 Elaborating on his statements, Shastri explained that his comments were specifically directed towards Durga Puja celebrations. He had stated that people should refrain from consuming meat inside Durga Puja pandals, and if anyone wished to eat non-vegetarian food, they should do so in the privacy of their homes. As a religious leader, he emphasized non-violence and noted that while everyone has the right to live, he will always speak out against animal slaughter.

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 In comments shared on X, he asserted that he was not trying to lecture the people of Bengal as if he were an outsider, but rather considered himself deeply connected to them, emphasizing that his words were twisted out of context.

 

## Stance on Violence and Traditional Rituals
 Shastri further stated that he belongs to this country and follows the spiritual lineage of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Bama Charan Khepa. Questioning why he would interfere with the meals of those he considers his own family and loved ones, he nevertheless reiterated that he will continue to speak against animal violence because his scriptures dictate it.

 Shastri recalled questioning how a mother could accept the sacrifice of her own child, stating that if Goddess Durga desires an offering, she can take it herself. He suggested that devotees should simply leave the animal in front of the deity and let nature take its course rather than slaughtering animals under the guise of ritual sacrifice. He concluded that while some people misunderstood his remarks, he remains firm on opposing ritualistic animal sacrifice regardless of whether critics appreciate it.

## What this means for you
The controversy surrounding Dhirendra Shastri's remarks on non-vegetarian food in West Bengal carries notable implications for public gatherings and religious celebrations.

- **Across India:** Discussions regarding dietary guidelines and maintaining sanctity at public and religious festivals have intensified. Devotees participating in such events may need to adhere more strictly to codes of conduct established by local committees.

- **In West Bengal:** The debate may prompt local organizers to enforce stricter rules regarding food consumption inside Durga Puja pandals. Residents and visitors will need to remain mindful of community guidelines and local sensitivities during upcoming festive gatherings.

## Why this happened
The controversy originated following a public statement made by Dhirendra Shastri regarding dietary practices during religious events in West Bengal. The escalation was primarily driven by differing interpretations of his remarks and existing debates surrounding cultural traditions.

- **Statement Context:** The debate gained momentum after Shastri appealed to the public to avoid consuming non-vegetarian food inside Durga Puja pandals.

- **Traditional Practices:** Divergent viewpoints regarding animal sacrifice and ritual purity in religious gatherings often make such remarks subjects of intense public discussion and media scrutiny.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What clarification did Dhirendra Shastri give regarding the West Bengal controversy?
Dhirendra Shastri clarified that he never commented on anyone's dietary habits or clothing, but strictly opposed animal violence and ritual sacrifice.

### 2. What statement did Shastri make concerning Durga Puja?
He stated that people should not consume non-vegetarian food inside Durga Puja pandals and suggested that anyone wishing to eat meat should do so at home.

### 3. What is Dhirendra Shastri's stance on animal sacrifice?
Shastri strongly criticized animal sacrifice, stating that if Goddess Durga desires an offering, she will take it herself, and people should not slaughter animals under the guise of sacrifice.

### 4. Did Shastri address the people of Bengal directly?
He stated that he was not trying to lecture the people of Bengal, noting that he considers himself part of the community and that his remarks were misinterpreted.

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