In other parts of the country, eating non-vegetarian food in a temple would invoke the wrath of religious heads and attempts to convert to a more acceptable diet that excludes meat and eggs. In West Bengal, that’s nothing but a regular affair.
But when Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari relished fish at the centuries-old Kalighat temple in Kolkata, the focus wasn’t on his plate but on remarks that have echoed in the city over the past week. A Hindu priest had admonished the Bengali Hindus who consume non-veg during Durga Puja. “Who wants the sale of non-vegetarian food to stop? Please indicate this by turning on the lights of your mobile phones. This message needs to reach every person in West Bengal, and the government needs to be made aware of this issue.
Meat and liquor shops in West Bengal should remain closed during Durga Puja,” Shastri said.
Taking a cue from Adhikari’s video, the ruling party suggested that it should end the veg-non-veg debate. “Let the controversy end where it should. At Kalighat, CM @SuvenduWB takes part in Maa Kali’s traditional Fish Bhog – respecting Bengal’s faith, traditions, and way of life. The BJP, however, was quick in balancing public and ideological sentiments. welcomed him with much fanfare, and urged him to open a centre in Bengal, his party asserted no godman can decide people’s dietary choices While Adhikari laid out a red carpet for Shastri. “Bageshwar Baba comes from another ‘dunia’. Bageshwar Baba has no right to decide what the people of Bengal will eat. Bengalis will eat fish and meat. Adhikari put to play another critical balancing act.
Under his leadership, the BJP will always stand firmly for Bengal’s interests, Bengal’s traditions, and what is right for Bengal,” said BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari. Vivekananda has spoken in favour of Bengalis consuming meat and fish,” said the BJP’s Bengal chief Samik Bhattacharya. Asked later about Shastri’s remark, he said he was entitled to his personal opinion, and people can either accept or reject it.
