Suvendu Adhikari supports freedom of food choice and religious practice

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addresses the ‘Gerua Samman Yatra’ at Jadavpur, Kolkata. File | Photo credit: ANI

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that people have the constitutional freedom to choose their dietary habits and religious practices, in an apparent response to godman Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, for his alleged remarks about Bengalis eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.

Also Read: Congress leader summoned by police for ‘burning’ Bageshwara Baba’s photo over Durga Puja remark

At a summit organized by a private news channel on Saturday (September 12, 2026), Mr Adhikari said that people are free to follow religious practices of their choice and that no one should be subjected to abuse for such personal choices.

“Dharma gurus (religious leaders) of different faiths express their views. It is up to the people to decide whether they want to accept them or not. Our great constitution written by Babasaheb Ambedkar has given you freedom,” he said.

Referring to his own eating habits, Mr. Adhikari said he prayed at the Kalighat temple here on Thursday, September 10, on the occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya and subsequently had “prasad” containing fish head and Basanti pulao.

“On the Kaushiki Amavasya day, I offered prayers to Maa Kali at Kalighat. After that I had Basanti pulao with fish, including its head, which was offered to the goddess,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that he will visit Baghbazar Gaudiya Math on September 19 on the occasion of Radha Ashtami where he will have a ‘satvik’ (purely vegetarian) meal.

“On Radh Ashtami, I have been invited to Baghbazar Gaudiya Math, where I will go and take ‘satvik’ food,” he said.

Mr Adhikari said people had the right to follow different religious traditions and questioned the practice of targeting or abusing individuals because of their food choices.

“We have a right to follow Vaishnava traditions or other traditions. This right has been given to us by our religion and also by the constitution. But what kind of right or freedom of speech is it to target someone, make videos around them and throw obscene abuse at them?” he asked.

The chief minister’s statement came amid controversy over Bageshwara Baba’s comments calling non-vegetarian food “dirty” and calling for curbing its consumption during Durga Puja.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 10:35 IST