Bengal BJP chief rejects Bageshwar Baba's appeal to skip meat during Durga Puja

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Monday rejected an appeal by self-styled spiritual guru Dhirendra Shastri (Bageshwar Baba) asking Bengalis to abstain from meat during Durga Puja. Bhattacharya said no external religious figure can dictate what people in the state eat or wear.

Bhattacharya defended Bengal's food traditions, stating that eating fish and meat during festivals is an integral part of Bengali culture. He referenced Swami Vivekananda's teachings and noted that animal sacrifice to Goddess Kali is a longstanding practice in the region. He emphasised that eating 'luchi' (fried bread) on Ashtami and goat meat on Navami will continue.

Bageshwar Baba had previously called those consuming non-vegetarian food during festivals 'hypocrites' and urged them to abandon the practice. His remarks have sparked debate in West Bengal, where food practices and religious observances have historically coexisted outside strictly vegetarian frameworks.