Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urges Durga Puja meat ban, Sanyal rebuts
Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Krishna Shastri kicked off controversy by urging people to skip nonvegetarian food during Durga Puja, calling it "impious."
He also appealed for a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food near Durga idols and said meat and liquor shops in West Bengal should remain closed during Durga Puja.
PM Narendra Modi's economic advisor Sanjeev Sanyal pushed back on X, saying meat is actually central to Shakta Hindu rituals: it's offered to Ma Durga and Ma Kali, and even served as prasad on festival days.
Adhikari orders Maha Ashtami liquor ban
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya also weighed in, reminding everyone that Bengalis will eat fish and meat during Durga Puja.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a ban on liquor shops and bars across West Bengal on Maha Ashtami during the upcoming Durga Puja.