‘No one can dictate what Bengalis eat’: BJP’s blunt message amid Bageshwar Baba’s Durga Puja food row

The remarks have triggered a political and social media controversy in Bengal, with a significant portion of the criticism directed at the BJP and the state government as the party's top leaders including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari were present at the spiritual leader's event. 

At a press conference in Kolkata, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said Bageshwar Baba was entitled to make an appeal, but stressed that food choices ultimately rested with individuals.

‘No one can dictate what Bengalis eat’

Bhattacharya said Bengalis traditionally eat luchi on Ashtami and mutton on Nabami and suggested that the tradition was unlikely to change this year.

“Bengalis traditionally have luchi on Ashtami and mutton on Nabami, and I don't see that changing this time either. Bageshwar Baba represents a different world. He is famous across the country and many people listen to what he says. I personally loved meeting him. But I don't think he wants to dictate what people in Bengal should eat,” he said.

“A lot of people have already turned vegetarian or vegan. Anyone can make an appeal, and as a saint, he is entitled to do so. But I don't think anyone can dictate what we should have on our plates. We have no comment on people's individual choices. Bengalis will follow what they are comfortable with. Why should we worry about something said by an outsider?” he added.

Bhattacharya said the issue had nothing to do with politics and maintained that people would decide for themselves whether to follow the appeal.

“I don't see anything wrong with appealing to people to embrace a vegetarian diet. It is not only the BJP or a saint; several people and doctors also advocate vegetarian diets. But can a saint or a political party decide what people should eat? How can we assume that Bengali people will stop eating fish or meat?” he said.

‘Is anyone above Vivekananda?’

The BJP state chief also invoked Swami Vivekananda while stressing the importance of Bengal's own cultural and spiritual traditions.

“Is anyone above Vivekananda? It is worrying if someone starts becoming bigger than Vivekananda,” Bhattacharya said.

“What Bageshwar Baba has said is entirely his personal appeal. He is entitled to make that appeal, but people will ultimately exercise their own choice,” he added.

When asked about Shastri's reported use of the word ‘pakhandi’ for Bengalis consuming non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, Bhattacharya said the BJP did not endorse the remark.

“If someone uses the word ‘Pakhandi’, we do not support it,” he said.

What did Bageshwar Baba say?

Bageshwar Dham chief priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has stirred controversy in West Bengal after urging people to refrain from the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food around Durga Puja pandals during Navratri.

Speaking at a large gathering in the state, Shastri appealed to Hindus in West Bengal to avoid non-vegetarian food around Durga Puja venues and called for a boycott of those selling or consuming it in the vicinity of the pandals.

“Please do not mind but I am not fond of one particular thing about West Bengal. I do get hurt by one behaviour of West Bengal. During Navratri, people consume filthy, non-veg food behind the Durga Puja pandal.

“We don't like this. This Navratri, we want all Hindus of West Bengal to wake up and boycott these people,” Shastri said.

Shastri seeks ban on non-veg sales near pandals

Shastri also called for non-vegetarian food not to be sold around Durga Puja idols and sought the state government's attention on the issue.

“Non-veg food should not be sold around Durga Puja idols. Worship Goddess Durga or not, but free West Bengal from love jihad this Navratri,” he said.

He also asked the gathering how many people wanted non-vegetarian food markets to be shut across West Bengal during Durga Puja and urged those supporting the proposal to turn on their mobile phone flashlights.

The remarks have since triggered a political backlash, with opposition voices questioning whether the BJP supports Shastri's appeal.

The controversy comes amid a wider debate over food practices and participation around Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal, after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) urging organisers to keep non-vegetarian food away from puja pandals.