‘Meat is core to Shakta Hinduism’: PM Modi adviser hits back at Bageshwar Baba over non-veg ban appeal

In a post on X, Sanyal wrote, "Meat is core to Shakta Hinduism. It is offered to Ma Durga and Ma Kali as part of the ancient rituals. The Prasad eaten by the devotees on Navami/Dasami at Durga Puja is meat."

"Any interference in this sacred ritual will not be tolerated," he said.

What did Bageshwar Baba say?

Bageshwar Dham chief priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has stirred controversy in West Bengal after urging people to refrain from the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food around Durga Puja pandals during Navratri.

Speaking at a large gathering in Kolkata, Shastri appealed to Hindus in West Bengal to avoid non-vegetarian food around Durga Puja venues and called for a boycott of those selling or consuming it in the vicinity of the pandals.

"Please do not mind, but I am not fond of one particular thing about West Bengal. I do get hurt by one behaviour of West Bengal. During Navratri, people consume filthy, non-veg food behind the Durga Puja pandal.

"We don't like this. This Navratri, we want all Hindus of West Bengal to wake up and boycott these people," Shastri said.

He also described people who consume non-vegetarian food during Navratri as "pakhandis".

The remarks have triggered a political and social media controversy in Bengal, with a significant portion of the criticism directed at the BJP and the state government as the party's top leaders including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari were present at the spiritual leader's event.

Shastri seeks ban on non-veg sales near pandals

Shastri also called for non-vegetarian food not to be sold around Durga Puja idols and sought the state government's attention on the issue.

"Non-veg food should not be sold around Durga Puja idols. Worship Goddess Durga or not, but free West Bengal from love jihad this Navratri," he said.

He also asked the gathering how many people wanted non-vegetarian food markets to be shut across West Bengal during Durga Puja and urged those supporting the proposal to turn on their mobile phone flashlights.

The remarks have triggered a political backlash, with opposition voices questioning whether the BJP supports Shastri's appeal.

The controversy comes amid a wider debate over food practices and participation during Durga Puja celebrations in Bengal, after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) urged organisers to keep non-vegetarian food away from puja pandals.

BJP distances itself from Bageshwar Baba's remark

Facing public criticism over Shastri's remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has distanced itself from the spiritual leader's appeal.

At a press conference in Kolkata, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said Shastri was entitled to make an appeal but stressed that food choices ultimately rested with individuals.

Bhattacharya also disagreed with Shastri's use of the term "pakhandi" for those who consume non-vegetarian food during Navratri.