West Bengal: Congress files police complaint against Dhirendra Shastri amid stir over non-veg during Durga Puja

The Congress has filed a police complaint against Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, over his remarks on Bengali identity, food habits and the consumption of non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
Congress leader Manash Sarkar lodged the complaint at Kolkata’s Bhawanipore Police Station on Tuesday, alleging that Shastri’s comments hurt the sentiments of Bengalis and could create social disharmony.
Sarkar accused Shastri of calling Bengalis “hypocrites” and questioned his remarks asking people what they should eat during Durga Puja. He demanded an apology from Shastri and urged the police to take legal action.
The Congress leader also warned that if no action was taken and Shastri did not apologise, his party would consider further steps, including opposing his entry into Bengal.
Shastri’s remarks against non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja have triggered a political controversy in West Bengal. He had urged Hindus in Kolkata to avoid non-vegetarian food during the festival, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and sections of the public.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya distanced the party from the remarks, saying that eating fish and meat is part of Bengali culture. He pointed to traditional food practices during Durga Puja, including meat consumption on Navami.
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh also defended people’s freedom to choose their food. He said Shastri had expressed his personal opinion and those who agreed could follow it, while stressing that people have different food preferences and should be free to make their own choices.