West Bengal CM Defends ‘Godman’ Who Sought to Avoid Meat During Durga Puja
The CM said the godman shared a personal view without imposing it, while directing police to arrest protesters who burned his photographs.
- On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended remarks made by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, who advocated vegetarian food during the upcoming Durga Pujas, asserting the preacher did not impose his views.
- During a religious event in Liluah, Howrah, on September 5 and 6, Shastri appealed to Hindus to avoid selling non-vegetarian food near idols during Navratri, sparking debate on dietary preferences during the festival.
- The Trinamool Congress and Communist Party opposed the remarks, with critics citing Swami Vivekananda's reference to Goddess Kali to reject the advice, while West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya termed the comments "personal opinion."
- Following protests by Congress supporters who burned photographs outside the Bhawanipore police station, Adhikari directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest the demonstrators, citing their actions as unacceptable.
- In his Thursday speech, Adhikari also targeted Left parties, urging Durga Puja organisers to deny permission for book stalls using the term "Sharadutsav" instead of "Durga Puja," escalating regional political tensions.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari orders arrest of protesters who burnt Bageshwar Baba photos over non-veg remarks
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered arrests for burning godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri's photos. Protesters burned images after Shastri's remarks on non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Adhikari stated that appeasement politics has gone too far in the state. Congress leaders defended their actions as a badge of honor for Bengalis. The chief minister's directive came during a special assembly session.
Dhirendra Shastri clarifies Durga Puja meat diktat, says he only spoke against 'bali pratha'
Issuing a clarification over his meat diktat for Durga Puja celebrations, Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri aka Bageshwar Baba has said he never commented on anyone's food habits and his remarks were only against the 'bali pratha'.
'He never imposed': CM Suvendu orders arrest over Bageshwar Baba's photo burning amid Durga Puja food row
Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari backs Dhirendra Shastri in the Durga Puja food row, ordering arrest of those who burnt his photos in protest. Shastri's anti-meat appeal faces backlash from locals defending Bengal's food culture.
Atanu Das, the general secretary of the South Kolkata District Congress, was arrested from his house in Tollygunge at midnight.
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