Avoid going non-veg on Durga Puja? ‘Meat is the core’ Sanjeev Sanyal warns Dhirendra Shastri: ‘Interference will not be tolerated’ | Today’s news
Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has created an uproar on the internet ever since he issued an advisory to keep non-vegetarian food out of Durga Puja. He further called those who consume non-veg during Durga Puja “godless”. Amid mixed reactions to his comment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Adviser Sanjeev Sanyal strongly opposed Shastri’s remark.
Sanjeev Sanyal reacts to Shastri’s comment on Durga Puja
Sanyal turned to X and said that tampering with Durga Puja will not be tolerated.
He wrote: “Meat is at the core of Shakta Hinduism. It is offered to Ma Durga and Ma Kali as part of ancient rituals. Prasad eaten by devotees on Navami/Dasami in Durga Puja is meat. Any interference with this sacred ritual will not be tolerated.”
What did Dhirendra Shastri say?
Dhirendra Shastri also known as Bageshwar Baba recently held his event in West Bengal. He was earlier denied permission to hold religious events in the state during the Trinamool rule.
This time he was welcomed by the new BJP government when he held an event in Howrah on Sunday. During a pravachan (religious or spiritual lecture), Shastri appealed for a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food near Durga idols during the week-long festival.
He also urged Hindus in the state to observe Navaratri, as reported by NDTV.
“Who wants the sale of non-vegetarian food to stop? Please make it known by turning on the lights on your mobile phones. This message must reach every person in West Bengal and the government must be informed about this issue. Meat and liquor shops in West Bengal should remain closed during Durga Puja,” Shastri said.
He also said, “Those who consume non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja are impious.”
“Baba has no right to decide what people will eat”
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya also reacted to Shastri’s comment.
“Bageshwar Baba is from a different ‘dunia’. Bageshwar Baba has no right to decide what people in Bengal will eat and what not. Bengalis will eat fish and meat. Vivekananda spoke for Bengalis to consume meat and fish. We have great respect for Bageshwar Baba, but Bengalis should not be afraid of his comments,” Bhattachary said on Monday.
“We Bengalis eat puri on Ashtami and mutton on Navami,” Bhattacharya added.
This will be the first Durga Puja in Bengal with the BJP in power.
No alcohol for Ashtami
On Monday, CM Suvendu Adhikari announced a ban on liquor shops and bars across West Bengal on Maha Ashtami during the upcoming Durga Puja. “On the day when devotees offer Anjali (Maha Ashtami) to Maa Durga, all liquor shops in the state will remain closed. No liquor will be available in bars either,” he said.
