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‘Bengalis will eat what they always have’: State BJP chief after Bageshwar Baba kicks up row
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In Short: A West Bengal BJP leader dismissed calls for a ban on non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, stating that Bengalis will continue to eat as they always have.
A day after a Madhya Pradesh priest sparked controversy by urging West Bengalis not to eat fish or meat during Durga Puja, a senior BJP leader in West Bengal defended the state's culinary traditions.
Bengalis will eat what they always have,' state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said, emphasizing that no one can dictate their dietary choices.
Bhattacharya also criticized the priest's appeal, saying, 'Bageshwar Baba was given a grand welcome by Suvendu Adhikari. Then, in Bengal, he called for banning non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Is this the BJP’s plan to take fish and meat off Bengali plates? Is that why restaurants face raids before Puja? Bengal will resist.
Critics accused the BJP of attempting to control Bengali culture, stating, 'It is evident that they don’t have control of Bengal locally; the remote is in Delhi’s hands. Who is Dhirendra Shastri. Why is he being given such importance. This is nothing but the actual nature of the BJP. It always speaks in this language,' according to The Indian Express.
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- “Right now, campaigns promoting vegetarianism are held. Many doctors are also saying it. But what you eat at home, will a sadhu determine that. Will a political party decide that. Bengalis will eat what they always have. Will Bengalis not eat fish. Will Bengalis not eat meat. Even Swami Vivekananda approved of this and who stands above him. The Goddess Kali here consumes mutton. I haven’t found anyone greater than Swami Vivekananda yet. If someone suddenly rises above him, that’s dangerous. So, there is no question of accepting such ideas. This is his opinion,” Bhattacharya said.
- So, they will keep eating that,” Bhattacharya said, adding, “Whether to give importance or not to any statement, whether Bengalis will give importance to his words or not is entirely a matter for Bengalis to decide.
Sources
- The Indian Expresslink