# West Bengal religious dietary controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/west-bengal-religious-dietary-controversy > Updated: 2026-09-12T07:40:04.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2. A political controversy emerged in West Bengal after Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, head of Bageshwar Dham, urged Bengalis to refrain from eating non-vegetarian food during the Durga Puja festival. Shastri reportedly labeled those consuming meat during religious festivities as “hypocrites.” The remarks prompted legal and political reactions. The West Bengal Congress filed a police complaint, alleging the comments were derogatory and could incite social disharmony. In response, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended local traditions, noting that consuming fish and meat is a deeply rooted cultural and religious practice in Bengal. BJP officials emphasized that dietary choices are personal and highlighted that fish is often included in traditional religious offerings, such as the bhog at the Kalighat temple. While the BJP defended Shastri’s right to express opinions, they distanced themselves from his specific dietary advice, asserting that religious practices vary by local culture and occasion. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: West Bengal leaders defend traditional fish offerings amid religious dietary row BJP leaders in West Bengal are defending local religious traditions, including the consumption of fish as temple offerings, following calls by religious figure Dhirendra Shastri to shun non-vegetarian food. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-bengal-leaders-defend-traditional-fish-offerings-amid-religious-dietary-row ### 2026-09-08: West Bengal political row erupts over Dhirendra Shastri's non-veg remarks West Bengal politics has intensified after Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Shastri urged Bengalis to avoid meat during Durga Puja, prompting a Congress police complaint and a BJP defense of local traditions. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/west-bengal-bjp-chief-defends-dietary-traditions-against-dhirendra-shastri --- Cite as: West Bengal religious dietary controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/west-bengal-religious-dietary-controversy