West Bengal political row erupts over Dhirendra Shastri's non-veg remarks

A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal following remarks by Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, who urged Bengalis to refrain from eating non-vegetarian food during the Durga Puja festival. Shastri reportedly characterized those who consume meat during religious festivities as “hypocrites.”

In response, the West Bengal Congress lodged a police complaint at the Bhawanipore police station, alleging that the remarks were derogatory, hurt religious sentiments, and could incite social disharmony.

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have distanced themselves from Shastri’s specific dietary advice while defending his right to express opinions. West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya emphasized that dietary choices are a personal matter and noted that consuming fish and meat is a deeply rooted cultural and religious tradition in Bengal, particularly during Durga Puja. Other BJP leaders criticized the Congress party’s legal action, accusing them of targeting religious figures for political gain.