Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Thanthania Kalibari temple in North Kolkata, one of the city’s oldest and most revered Kali temples — and one of the few in India where non-vegetarian food is offered as prasad to the deity — ahead of his election roadshow and public rallies in the state ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The temple visit preceded a 2-kilometre roadshow through North Kolkata and came against the backdrop of an ongoing campaign exchange over food and cultural identity. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had claimed in recent speeches that a BJP government would restrict the consumption of non-vegetarian food in the state if voted to power. The remarks drew wide attention in West Bengal, where fish remains central to Bengali cuisine and identity.
Banerjee also referred to restrictions on the sale of fish and meat in some NDA-ruled states, including Bihar and Gujarat, during certain festivals.
Modi made no reference to Banerjee’s remarks during his temple visit or at subsequent rallies. However, his choice of the Thanthania Kalibari temple appeared to serve as a symbolic rebuttal, without launching any direct attack on the opposition.
About the Temple
Thanthania Kalibari, established in 1703, is among the oldest temples in Kolkata — its history predates the city’s formal development. The presiding deity is worshipped as Maa Siddheshwari and is considered spiritually awakened.
The tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad at the temple was initiated by Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who offered puja to Maa Siddheswari with offerings of ‘dab-chingri’ — coconut water and prawns — while praying for the recovery of Brahmananda Keshav Chandra Sen. The ritual has been observed ever since. The saint’s words, inscribed on the temple walls, read: ‘Shankarer hridoy majhe, Kali biraje’ — Goddess Kali resides within the heart of Shankar.
The Roadshow and Rallies
After the temple visit, Modi held a roadshow through North Kolkata before addressing back-to-back public meetings at Bongaon and Arambagh. He also visited the Matua Thakur Mandir in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas, where he paid tribute to community founders Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur and reiterated the BJP’s promise of citizenship rights under the Citizenship Amendment Act to Matua community members.
At the Thakurnagar rally, Modi said the first phase of polling had “shattered TMC’s arrogance,” and predicted a BJP win in the second phase. “Frustration over corruption, poor governance and broken promises can be seen across the state,” he said.
The TMC has not formally responded to Modi’s campaign remarks. Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded on Thursday, with the state recording a voter turnout of 91.78 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India. Phase 2 polling is scheduled in the coming days from April 29, 2026.
