A day after Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri questioned the consumption of non-vegetarian meals by Bengalis throughout Durga Puja, West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya rejected Shastri’s attraction and stated that he has no proper to determine what Bengalis will eat throughout the competition.
Shastri, who was denied permission to carry spiritual occasions in West Bengal throughout the Trinamool regime, was lately welcomed by the BJP authorities with nice fanfare. On Sunday, throughout a pravachan (spiritual or non secular discourse) in Howrah, he appealed for a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian meals close to Durga idols throughout the festive interval and urged Hindus in Bengal to look at Navaratri.
Shastri, popularly often known as Bageshwar Baba, stated that even when it isn’t attainable to put in a Durga idol at house or within the neighbourhood, one ought to nonetheless worship the goddess with devotion and sincerity, adhering to the prescribed rituals.
“Who desires the sale of non-vegetarian meals to cease? Please point out this by turning on the lights of your cellphones. This message wants to succeed in each individual in West Bengal, and the federal government must be made conscious of this situation. Meat and liquor retailers in West Bengal ought to stay closed throughout Durga Puja,” Shastri stated.
“Those that eat non-vegetarian meals throughout Durga Puja are impious,” Shastri added.
Shastri’s feedback sparked intense dialogue among the many residents of Bengal, with many on social media calling the remarks an assault on dietary habits and the long-standing cultural heritage of Bengalis.
Amid the row, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya stated that Shastri comes from “one other world” and Bengalis shouldn’t be involved about his remarks.
“Bageshwar Baba comes from one other ‘dunia‘. Bageswar Baba has no proper to determine what the individuals 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 now have nice respect for Bageswar Baba, however Bengalis shouldn’t be involved about his remark,” Bhattacharya stated.
Opposition leaders too have reacted to the controversy, condemning Shastri’s feedback.
“If somebody from outdoors comes and units all the things proper, what is going to occur to the liberty of the individuals of Bengal? Durga Puja committees will worship as individuals need. They’ll observe the principles. The place does Baba Bageshwar come into this?” stated Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy.
“What Bengalis will eat throughout Durgapuja can’t be fastened by any BJP Baba. We is not going to enable that to occur,” stated Suman Roy Chowdhury, spokesperson, West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.
