West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday directed the police to arrest those who allegedly burnt photographs of religious preacher Dhirendra Shastri outside Bhawanipore police station in Kolkata.
The incident followed protests over Shastri’s remarks asking Hindus to avoid eating non vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Adhikari defended the preacher, saying he had only expressed his views and had not forced anyone to follow them.
Adhikari Defends Dhirendra Shastri
Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, Adhikari said people were free to accept or reject Shastri’s views.
“A saint had come to Liluah. He spoke like a saint about nationalism, Akhand Bharat and culture. Those who want to accept will accept, and those who do not want will not. He did not impose it on anyone,” he said, according to The Hindu.
Adhikari also directed the police commissioner to take action against those involved in burning Shastri’s photograph.
“I have directed the CP that everyone who burnt the picture should be arrested,” he said.
Shastri’s Remarks Sparked Row
The controversy began after Shastri, the head of Bageshwar Dham, spoke at a religious event in Liluah, Howrah, against eating non vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
He reportedly described such food as “dirty” and said meat should not be sold near Durga Puja idols during the festival.
The remarks drew criticism in West Bengal, where eating fish and meat during Durga Puja is common among many Bengali Hindus. Animal sacrifice is also part of religious practices for some sections of the community.
Congress workers held protests against Shastri, and complaints were filed with the police accusing him of hurting Bengali sentiments and insulting the state’s culture and traditions.
BJP Leaders Distance Themselves From Remarks
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya had also criticised the remarks, saying Shastri had no authority to decide what people in Bengal should eat.
“Bengalis will eat fish and meat. We have great respect for him, but Bengalis should not be concerned about his comment,” Bhattacharya said.
Other BJP leaders, including Sukanta Majumdar and Dilip Ghosh, also rejected the controversy over food habits.
The Trinamool Congress had earlier said Bengalis would not accept attempts to dictate what they should eat or how they should celebrate their festivals.
Durga Puja will be celebrated in West Bengal from October 6 to October 10 this year.
