A recent statement made by Bageshwar Dham seer Dhirendra Krishna Shastri during his visit to West Bengal has ignited a major political storm in the state. The preacher had traveled to Bengal for a three-day religious event, during which he publicly demanded the shutdown of all non-vegetarian food shops for nine days throughout Durga Puja. His assertive remarks regarding dietary practices and religious festivals have quickly escalated into a prominent talking point across political platforms and social media circles.
The Three-Day Event in Howrah
According to event details, the three-day Hanuman Katha and divine assembly took place in Liluah within the Howrah district from September 4 to September 6. Thousands of devoted followers gathered at the venue to attend the spiritual discourses. It was precisely during these proceedings that the seer expressed his views concerning Durga Puja and the consumption of meat, immediately drawing varied political and public reactions throughout West Bengal.
Demand to Shut Down Non-Veg Outlets
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged people to abstain from eating non-vegetarian food during the entire duration of Durga Puja. He explicitly stated that establishments selling meat, such as mutton, should remain closed across the nine days of festivities. Furthermore, he advocated for a complete ban on the sale of non-veg items in the vicinity of puja marquees and requested ordinary Hindus to adopt a purely vegetarian diet over the course of the Navratri festival.
Controversy Over 'Hypocrite' Remark
Adding fuel to the debate, the seer reportedly termed Hindus who consume non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja as hypocrites. This particular phrasing unleashed a wave of reactions across online platforms. Critics and local observers pointed out that consuming meat during the festival is an established culinary tradition for numerous families in Bengal, meaning such generalized remarks risk hurting cultural and religious sentiments. Although no massive street protests have erupted over the comment so far, the issue remains a hot topic of discussion in political corridors and digital networks.
BJP State President Weighs In on Bengal Traditions
West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party State President and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya responded by noting that consuming mutton on Navami is an ingrained tradition in Bengal that does not require any alteration. However, he also maintained that any religious saint holds the complete freedom to express personal thoughts and viewpoints.
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Slams the Remark
Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh offered a sharp and stinging rebuttal to the seer's comments. He asserted that the people of Bengal are closely watching everything unfolding around them. Ghosh accused outsiders of coming into the state and insulting Bengalis, while simultaneously criticizing the state's leadership for inviting and welcoming such figures. Taking a direct swipe at the BJP, he claimed that these insults toward the Bengali community are being orchestrated to benefit the opposition party politically.
Ongoing Debate Over Cultural Heritage and Faith
The remarks made by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri have once again brought to the forefront a sensitive debate surrounding religious devotion and local dietary customs during Durga Puja in West Bengal. While supporters view the statement as a purely spiritual appeal, political opponents and cultural critics emphasize that any commentary on Bengal's age-old traditions must be handled with deep sensitivity toward local sentiments. Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari's recent major announcements regarding Durga Puja continue to remain a focal point of discussion.
