Congress Files Police Complaint Against Bageshwar Baba in Bhawanipore Over Durga Puja Food Remarks

The West Bengal Congress has lodged a police complaint against Bageshwar Baba, also known as Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, at Bhawanipore Police Station over his recent remarks on non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.

According to reports, Shastri criticised the consumption of fish and meat around Durga Puja and urged people to avoid non-vegetarian food during the festival. He also described people who eat such food during the puja period in derogatory terms, triggering a political and social controversy in Bengal.

Congress Seeks Action

The Congress complaint alleges that the remarks hurt Bengali sentiments and sought police action, including registration of an FIR. The party has also indicated that similar complaints may be filed at other locations in West Bengal.

The controversy has also drawn a response from the BJP's West Bengal leadership. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said what people eat is a personal matter and that Bengalis would continue with their traditional food choices during Durga Puja.

The dispute has brought food habits, religious traditions and political rhetoric into the spotlight ahead of Durga Puja.