Kolkata:
The suitable-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad has denied experiences that claimed that they’re asking Bengalis comply with a satvik vegetarian food plan in the course of the Durga Puja. The recommendation, they mentioned, was in regards to the puja themes and common cleanliness on the puja grounds. The clarification got here amid a raging ongoing dialogue on social media on the matter.
Amiya Sarkar, secretary of VHP’s jap area, mentioned for the final two or three days, a bit of media and social media is spreading misinformation a few assembly held on August 26 with Durga Puja organisers.
On the assembly, he mentioned the dialogue was solely about following Satvik rituals.
“The VHP desires to make it clear that it isn’t in opposition to theme-based Durga Puja. Neither did we talk about this (meals) challenge throughout that assembly,” he mentioned. “We want to make clear that we’ve issued no such directive. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad doesn’t challenge fatwas,” he added.
The VHP, he mentioned, solely requested the Puja organisers that themes chosen for the Durga Puja pandals not be “in opposition to the Indian tradition, its spirituality and nationwide morale. Spiritual sentiments shouldn’t be harm”.
Sarkar additionally mentioned the VHP “has already made its stand clear that there ought to be no ban on veg or non-veg meals habits”.
“We wish the neighborhood in and across the Durga puja pandals be stored clear. Meals stalls ought to preserve cleanliness,” he added.
Union Minister and West Bengal’s former state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar mentioned: “The VHP is an impartial organisation that may provide the clarification on what they mentioned. I do know Durga pujas are organised round themes for a very long time in Bengal. The VHP has additionally mentioned Puja and themes ought to be completely different. Everybody makes an effort to make sure that the rituals for the Puja are carried out. After all, practices for this have already been in progress”.
Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury mentioned: “Durga Puja is Bengal’s id. That is the tradition and custom of our Bengal. Throughout Durga Puja, whereas performing rituals, sacrifices are provided, and non-vegetarian meals is consumed. Non-vegetarian meals means there’s a demand for mutton.”
He additionally added an anecdote. “A number of days in the past in Delhi, I used to be requested by a colleague, ‘Dada, are you veg or non-veg?’ I mentioned, ‘I’m every part.’ As a result of we eat greens, and we eat fish as effectively,” he added.
“Durga Puja is a delicate challenge, so everybody ought to be cautious earlier than making any feedback. Durga puja is the great thing about Bengal, wherein everybody can take part… It’s our apply that no-one eats non-veg meals inside puja pandals,” mentioned Trinamool’s Kunal Ghosh.
