West Bengal CM defends ‘godman’ who sought to avoid meat during Durga Puja

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on September 10 (Thursday) defended the remarks made by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri alias Bageshwar Baba advocating vegetarian food during the upcoming Durga Pujas. Speaking in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Mr. Adhikari said that the ‘saint’ had advocated his views, but did not impose it on anyone.

“A saint had come to Liluah, he spoke like a saint about nationalism, Akhand Bharat and on culture. Those who want to accept will accept, and those who do not want will not. He did not impose it on anyone. I saw a number of people burning his photographs outside Bhawanipore police station. I am directing the CP (Commissioner of Police) from here that these people need to be arrested,” the Chief Minister said.

“I want to appeal to the Hindus of Bengal that during Navratri, even if you don’t keep the idols of the Goddess, do not sell non-veg near the idols,” the self-styled godman had said on September 6.

The remark had sparked debate on dietary preferences during Durga Puja festivities. People across the State expressed disapproval of the remarks and said that people from outside the region cannot lecture people of West Bengal on dietary preferences.

Shastri had participated in a religious event at Liluah in Howrah on September 5 and 6. Mr. Adhikari, along with his cabinet colleagues, had met him and even hosted him for dinner.

Mr. Adhikari’s remarks directing police action pertained to protests held by Congress supporters outside the Bhawanipore police station over Sashtri’s remarks. The party had lodged complaints at several police stations, including Bhawanipore against Shastri for hurting sentiments of Bengalis.

The Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) have also opposed the remarks made by the Madhya Pradesh based religious preacher. In Thursday’s speech, Mr. Adhikari also targetted the Left parties, urging Durga Puja organisers not to give permission to CPI(M) to have book stalls near Puja pandals if they use the word ‘Sharadutsav’ instead of ‘Durga Puja’.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, on September 7, appeared to attempt damage control by saying nobody could ask Bengalis to give up non-vegetarian food. “How can Bengalis not have fish and meat? Even Swami Vivekananda said Ma Kali will have mutton [as an offering]. It is dangerous if someone tries to rise above Vivekananda. This is his (Shastri’s) personal opinion,” Mr. Bhattacharya had said.

Several other ministers of the West Bengal government had joined the State BJP president rejecting Shastri’s advice on switching to vegetarian food during pujas.