Suvendu Adhikari Eats Fish Bhog at Kalighat Temple on Kaushiki Amavasya (Video)
A video showed Suvendu Adhikari sitting on the floor and eating the traditional bhog, which included a fish head, fried fish and basanti pulao. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Chief Minister's participation in the ritual reflected respect for Bengal's faith, traditions and way of life.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Kolkata's Kalighat temple and consumed traditional fish bhog, including fish head, fried fish and basanti pulao, amid an ongoing controversy triggered by Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri's remarks against eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. The visit, held on the occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya, was seen as the BJP's response to the debate over Bengal's food traditions and religious practices, NDTV reported.
Traditional Fish Bhog at Kalighat Temple
Kalighat temple has a long-standing tradition of offering fish and sacrificial goat meat to Goddess Kali, following which the offerings are distributed as bhog among devotees. West Bengal Congress Files Police Complaint Against Bageshwar Baba Over Durga Puja Remarks.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Eats Fish Bhog at Kalighat Temple
VIDEO | Kolkata: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari visits Kalighat Temple on occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya; joins bhog featuring sweets, pulao and fish.
Adhikari also eats fish offered as part of the bhog. pic.twitter.com/gXm5soPEPk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 10, 2026
A video showed Adhikari sitting on the floor and eating the traditional bhog, which included a fish head, fried fish and basanti pulao. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Chief Minister's participation in the ritual reflected respect for Bengal's faith, traditions and way of life.
Row Began Over Bageshwar Baba's Remarks
The controversy began after Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, appealed to Bengali Hindus to avoid fish and meat during Durga Puja. He also described those consuming non-vegetarian food during the festival as "pakhandi", triggering strong reactions in West Bengal. ‘Maa Durga Has 11 Hands?’: BJP Ad Sparks Row in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari Apologises.
Fish and meat are closely linked to Bengali food culture, and non-vegetarian offerings are also part of religious traditions at several temples in the state.
BJP Distances Itself From Dietary Restrictions
The Bengal BJP had earlier clarified that no religious leader should decide what people in the state eat. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said Bengal's cultural and dietary traditions should be respected.
Adhikari, meanwhile, said Shastri was entitled to his personal opinion and that people were free to accept or reject it. He added that while he follows a sattvik diet on certain religious occasions, he also consumes non-vegetarian offerings made to Goddess Kali as part of Bengal's traditions.
Political and Cultural Debate Continues
The issue has developed into a wider debate over religious practices, food choices and Bengali cultural traditions. While Adhikari had supported Shastri's right to express his views and ordered action against those accused of burning his photographs during protests, his visit to Kalighat highlighted the BJP's effort to distance itself from any attempt to impose dietary restrictions on Bengalis.
The party has said Bengal's traditional practices, including the consumption of fish and meat as religious offerings, should be respected.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 01:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
