'No non-veg near Durga Puja pandals': Bageshwar Baba's big Bengal appeal sparks controversy

Speaking at a large gathering in the state, Shastri appealed to Hindus in West Bengal to avoid non-vegetarian food around Durga Puja venues and called for a boycott of those selling or consuming it in the vicinity of the pandals.

His remarks come amid a wider debate over the nature of Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) having recently issued its own advisory on food and other practices around puja pandals.

Dhirendra Shastri's appeal

Shastri said he was hurt by the practice of people consuming non-vegetarian food near Durga Puja pandals during Navratri.

"Please do not mind but I am not fond of one particular thing about West Bengal. I do get hurt by one behaviour of West Bengal. During Navratri, people consume filthy, non-veg food behind the Durga Puja pandal.

"We don't like this. This Navratri, we want all Hindus of West Bengal to wake up and boycott these people," Shastri said.

He further said, "Non-veg food should not be sold around Durga Puja idols. Worship Goddess Durga or not, but free West Bengal from love jihad this Navratri."

Shastri also sought the state government's attention on the issue and asked the gathering how many people wanted non-vegetarian food markets to be shut during Durga Puja across West Bengal.

He urged those supporting the proposal to turn on their mobile phone flashlights.

VHP's earlier advisory

Shastri's remarks come shortly after the VHP issued guidelines ahead of Durga Puja in Bengal, urging organisers to keep non-vegetarian food away from puja pandals.

The VHP's position, however, was not for a blanket ban on non-vegetarian food across West Bengal.

The organisation said non-vegetarian food could be sold, but urged that it be restricted to designated areas away from puja venues.

VHP central advisory council member Nirgunananda reportedly said the organisation's concern was about maintaining the sanctity of the puja venue and preventing food scraps from reaching the vicinity of the idol.

The advisory nevertheless triggered a political and cultural debate in Bengal, with critics accusing the VHP of attempting to influence the way the state's biggest festival is celebrated.

VHP's controversy over theme pandals

The VHP's earlier intervention was not limited to food.

The organisation also raised objections to certain theme-based Durga Puja pandals, arguing that religious imagery and representations of deities should not be distorted in the name of artistic expression.

VHP leaders said they had no objection to art or creativity but opposed themes that, in their view, had no connection with the religious character of Durga Puja.

The remarks sparked another debate over Bengal's long-standing tradition of experimental theme pandals, with supporters of the practice arguing that artistic interpretation has become an integral part of the state's Durga Puja culture.

The debate over representations of Goddess Durga and artistic freedom has also previously reached the Calcutta High Court in cases involving controversial puja themes.

Shastri's appearance with Suvendu Adhikari

Shastri's latest remarks have also attracted political attention as he shared the stage with West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari during his Kolkata visit.

Bageshwar Baba was also hosted by Adhikari and his colleagues for a meal.

During the interaction, Shastri, whose events had earlier reportedly faced permission-related hurdles under the previous TMC government, expressed his desire to hold his next "darbar" at the Chief Minister's House.

His latest appeal has now added another layer to the ongoing debate over religion, food practices and the cultural character of Durga Puja in Bengal.