Several BJP leaders rejected Dhirendra Shastri’s advice saying that Bengalis will eat non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja

West Bengal BJP chief and MP Samik Bhattacharya addresses a press conference in Kolkata on September 7, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI

A day after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya said that Bengalis will eat fish and meat during Durga Puja, rejecting Bageshwar Dham chief priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s advice to follow a vegetarian diet during the puja, several other BJP leaders have come out in support of Mr’Bhat.

From West Bengal government ministers to veteran party leaders, everyone toed Mr. Bhattacharya’s line. However, none of them criticized the self-proclaimed godman and some argued that there was nothing wrong with promoting vegetarianism.

“Our State Party President has made it clear that anyone coming from outside will not understand our culture. In other states, everyone eats vegetarian food during Durga Puja. But if they think the same culture is here, it is not. Here (in West Bengal) we save money to have mutton and fish,” Local Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said.

During Durga Puja and Kali Puja, there was a tradition of animal sacrifice and meat is offered as ‘prasad’, Panchayat Minister and former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said. “Some saints say that eating vegetarian food is good, but that is not a compulsion in West Bengal,” Mr. Ghosh said.

BJP leader and West Bengal Industries Minister Tapas Roy said that “every religion has its own rules, but people will eat what they want”. “Our president Shamik Bhattacharya has also clarified that people will follow their own rules regarding religion and eat what they want,” Mr. Roy said.

West Bengal BJP veteran and former Governor of Tripura Tathagata Roy said Dhirendra Shastri’s remarks were not a problem. “Those who want to follow him, by all means do so – not eating without vegetables won’t hurt anyone. And those who, like me, will eat without vegetables, will ignore him. So, what’s all this about?” said Mr. Roy.

Dhirendra Shastri, also known as ‘Bageshwar Baba’, made the remark while addressing his devotees at an event in Liluah on September 6, 2026. “I want to appeal to the Hindus of Bengal that during Navratri, even if you are not holding idols of the Goddess, do not sell non-vegetarian deities near the idols.”

The remark drew strong reactions from the people of the state, including leaders of opposition parties. The Madhya Pradesh-based religious preacher was welcomed to the state by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who dined with him along with cabinet members.

On September 7, Mr. Bhattacharya appeared to attempt damage control by saying that no one can ask Bengalis to give up non-vegetarian food.

“How can Bengalis not have fish and meat? Even Swami Vivekananda said that Ma Kali will have mutton (as an offering). It is dangerous if anyone tries to rise above Vivekananda. This is his (Shastri’s) personal opinion,” Mr Bhattacharya said. However, the BJP leader added that there is no sin in advocating vegetarianism.

Opposition political parties targeted the BJP over the issue. While the Congress party filed a police complaint against Dhirendra Shastri at the Bhawanipur police station, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said the blame was not on Bageshwar Baba but on those who invited him to the state.

Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said the state government and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who supported Bageshwar Babu, should offer an explanation. “This is not just a matter of filing a complaint… There is a government that supports all this. Friends of this government come and insult Bengal and Bengalis whenever they want,” Mr Ghosh said.

Published – 8 Sep 2026 22:45 IST