Dhirendra Shastri vs Samik Bhattacharya: West Bengal BJP Chief Rejects Meat Ban Call During Durga Puja (Video)

A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri questioned the consumption of non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and appealed for meat and liquor shops to remain closed near Durga idols during the festival.

A day after Shastri's remarks, West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya rejected the appeal, saying the religious leader has no right to decide what Bengalis should eat during Durga Puja.

Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, made the remarks during a pravachan in Howrah on Sunday. He urged Hindus in Bengal to observe Navaratri and said people should worship Goddess Durga with devotion and follow prescribed rituals even if they cannot install an idol at home or in their neighbourhood. Eating Fish Will Make Eyes As Beautiful As Those of Aishwarya Rai, Says Maharashtra BJP Minister Vijaykumar Gavit (Watch Video).

Bageshwar Baba’s Durga Puja Remark

Dhirendra Shastri Appeals for Ban on Meat, Liquor During Durga Puja

During his religious discourse, Shastri appealed to people to support his call for stopping the sale of non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.

"Who wants the sale of non-vegetarian food to stop? Please indicate this by turning on the lights of your mobile phones. This message needs to reach every person in West Bengal, and the government needs to be made aware of this issue. Meat and liquor shops in West Bengal should remain closed during Durga Puja," Shastri said.

"Those who consume non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja are impious," Shastri added. Tejashwi Yadav Eats Fish in Helicopter Video: BJP Attacks RJD Leader After Seen Eating Fish During Navratri.

His comments triggered a debate in Bengal, with critics accusing him of questioning the state's long-standing dietary and cultural traditions. Several social media users also objected to his remarks about food habits during the festival.

‘Bageshwar Baba Has No Right’: Bengal BJP Chief Hits Back

Amid the controversy, Samik Bhattacharya said Bengalis should not be concerned about Shastri's comments and asserted that dietary choices in Bengal cannot be dictated by an outside religious figure.

Bengal BJP Chief Says ‘Bengalis Will Eat Fish and Meat’

"Bageshwar Baba comes from another 'dunia'. Bageswar Baba has no right to decide what the people of Bengal will eat and what not. Bengalis will eat fish and meat. Vivekananda has spoken in favour of Bengalis consuming meat and fish. We have great respect for Bageswar Baba, but Bengalis should not be concerned about his comment," Bhattacharya said.

Bhattacharya's response is significant as Shastri was recently welcomed by the BJP government in West Bengal after previously being denied permission to hold religious events in the state during the Trinamool Congress regime.

TMC, Congress Also Attack Dhirendra Shastri

Opposition leaders also criticised Shastri's remarks, arguing that decisions about Durga Puja and food habits should be left to the people and individual puja committees.

"If someone from outside comes and sets everything right, what will happen to the freedom of the people of Bengal? Durga Puja committees will worship as people want. They will follow the rules. Where does Baba Bageshwar come into this?" said Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy.

Congress leader Suman Roy Chowdhury also rejected the appeal.

"What Bengalis will eat during Durgapuja cannot be fixed by any BJP Baba. We will not allow that to happen," said Suman Roy Chowdhury, spokesperson, West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.

Why Shastri’s Remarks Have Sparked a Debate

The controversy centres on the intersection of religious practices and Bengal's food traditions. Fish and meat have a prominent place in Bengali cuisine, while Durga Puja is one of the state's biggest cultural festivals.

Shastri's appeal for restrictions on non-vegetarian food during the festival has therefore drawn a sharp political response, with the Bengal BJP chief himself distancing the party from the suggestion.

The exchange between Shastri and Bengal BJP leadership has also brought the issue of who gets to define religious and cultural practices in the state into the political spotlight.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2026 09:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).