West Bengal CM Calls for Arrest of Protesters Burning Dhirendra Shastri’s Photos Over Meat Ban Remarks

In a controversial statement, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari declared that individuals burning photographs of religious leader Dhirendra Shastri in protest against his comments regarding a meat ban during the upcoming Durga Puja festival should face arrest. Adhikari emphasized that Shastri was merely expressing his personal opinion rather than imposing any restrictions on others.

During a religious gathering held at the Bageshwar Dham temple in Howrah, Shastri voiced his disapproval of non-vegetarian food being consumed during the festival, which is a significant celebration in Hindu culture. He referred to meat as ‘dirty’ and insisted that it should not be sold close to the idol of Goddess Durga during the festivities, which are scheduled to take place from October 6 to October 10 this year.

Traditionally, the consumption of meat is commonplace among Bengali Hindus during Durga Puja, and animal sacrifice holds considerable cultural importance for some sects within the community. Shastri’s remarks, however, have sparked a fresh wave of controversy, leading to protests organized by Congress workers. These protests resulted in some activists burning Shastri’s photographs outside the Bhawanipore police station in Kolkata.

Adhikari, along with fellow Cabinet members from the Bharatiya Janata Party, recently welcomed Shastri with a dinner, reinforcing political ties amid the ongoing discussions around his statements. The Chief Minister’s call for arresting the protesters has drawn attention to the tensions surrounding cultural practices and individual beliefs in a diverse society like India.

As the Durga Puja festival approaches, the debate over dietary choices, religious sentiments, and the right to express opinions continues to generate significant discourse within the state. With both sides of the argument gaining traction, it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve leading up to one of West Bengal’s most cherished festivals.

Source: scroll.in