West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari eats fish bhog at Kalighat amid godman controversy
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Kolkata's Kalighat Temple and ate the traditional fish and pulao offering, while a dispute over a godman's call to drop non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja continues.
On Kaushiki Amavasya, West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari offered prayers at the Kalighat Temple and partook of the customary fish and pulao bhog, highlighting the day's significance in Sanatan culture and the simultaneous worship at major shrines like Tarapith. His appearance comes amid a growing controversy after Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged Bengali Hindus to abstain from non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, labeling meat-eaters as hypocrites.
Leaders from the BJP and Congress have jointly rejected Shastri's advice, arguing that personal beliefs should not dictate regional food practices. Congress lodged a police complaint seeking an FIR and arrests, claiming the remarks threaten social harmony. BJP West Bengal spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya affirmed that Bengalis will keep eating traditional dishes such as luchi and goat meat. The episode underscores the tension between religious exhortations and cultural culinary traditions in the state.
Why it matters
The incident highlights a clash between religious influence and regional food customs, reflecting broader cultural and political tensions in West Bengal.
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