The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday issued pointers forward of Durga Puja in Bengal, urging organisers to return to conventional practices and be certain that non-vegetarian meals is just not offered or consumed in and round puja pandals.
The organisation clarified that it’s not calling for a blanket ban on non-vegetarian meals throughout the festivities, acknowledging that Durga Puja in Bengal has by no means been strictly vegetarian. Nevertheless, it harassed that the sanctity of the goddess’s idol have to be maintained and stored free from contact with non-vegetarian meals.
“We’re not saying that consuming non-vegetarian meals throughout the puja should cease utterly. We’re conscious that the puja in Bengal has by no means been strictly vegetarian. Nevertheless, the sanctity of the Mom Goddess’s idol have to be preserved,” Nirgunananda, a member of the VHP’s central advisory council, advised the media.
He mentioned it was the responsibility of Sanatanis to guard the sanctity of the idol and preserve cleanliness in and across the pandal. If non-vegetarian meals is offered throughout the festivities, it must be restricted to designated areas away from the puja venue, he mentioned.
“If non-vegetarian meals have to be offered, it must be completed at a delegated location outdoors the puja pandal, making certain that meals scraps don’t discover their manner into the pandal’s neighborhood,” Nirgunananda mentioned.
The VHP additionally indicated that it may intervene if puja committees fail to take steps to keep up the sanctity of the idol.
The organisation additional objected to the argument that “faith is private, however festivals are for everybody”, with Nirgunananda saying that Hindu spiritual customs must be upheld by Hindus.
“Individuals of different faiths are actually welcome to go to the puja pandals, however the accountability of upholding Hindu spiritual customs lies solely with Hindus,” he mentioned.
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