West Bengal Congress Files Police Complaint Against Bageshwar Baba Over Durga Puja Remarks

The West Bengal unit of the Congress lodged a formal police complaint on Tuesday, September 8, against Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri over his recent remarks urging people to abstain from non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. The complaint, filed by the South Kolkata District Congress Committee at the Bhawanipore police station, contends that the remarks made by the self-styled godman, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, were intended to hurt religious sentiments and create social disharmony.

The Controversial Remarks

The controversy stems from an event held in Howrah on September 5, where Shastri appealed to residents to give up non-vegetarian food during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. During the address, he reportedly criticised individuals who consume meat on religious occasions, referring to them as "hypocrites". Dhirendra Shastri vs Samik Bhattacharya: West Bengal BJP Chief Rejects Meat Ban Call During Durga Puja (Video).

West Bengal Congress Lodges Police Complaint Against Bageshwar Baba

Local Congress leaders asserted that such statements disrespect long-standing cultural and culinary traditions intrinsic to West Bengal, where fish and meat hold an integral place in regional celebrations.

Bageshwar Baba’s Durga Puja Remark

Demands for Legal Action

In the written complaint submitted to the police, South Kolkata District Congress President Pradip Prasad called for immediate administrative intervention. "We want to apprise you that immediate administrative action needs to be initiated, and an FIR needs to be registered with necessary arrests," Prasad stated in the complaint. The party argued that dictating dietary choices during a major cultural festival threatens public harmony and violates democratic norms. Central Kolkata District Congress President Manas Sarkar also submitted a parallel complaint via email to the city police.

Cultural Pushback and Wider Context

The remarks have drawn swift pushback across political lines within the state. Critics and local leaders emphasised that traditional practices during Durga Puja frequently include specific dietary customs that incorporate non-vegetarian food items. Police authorities are reviewing the complaints to determine the next steps under the law as political debate surrounding cultural boundaries and public commentary continues to unfold across the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 08, 2026 05:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).