Durga Puja food row: Calls to ban non-veg near pandals stir debate in Bengal

A fresh controversy is brewing in West Bengal after Hindutva organisations and a prominent religious figure appealed for non-vegetarian food to be kept away from Durga Puja pandals, sparking a debate over religious sanctity and dietary imposition.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) issued an advisory on August 26 urging organisers to maintain the sanctity of the Goddess's idol by keeping it free from contact with non-vegetarian food. Swami Nirgunananda, secretary of the Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad, said it was the duty of Sanatanis to protect the idol's sanctity and maintain cleanliness around the pandal. He suggested that if non-vegetarian food is sold during the festivities, it should be restricted to designated areas away from the venue. The VHP leadership, however, clarified that it would not enforce vegetarianism during the festival.

Days later, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the chief priest of Bageshwar Dham, made a similar appeal in Kolkata. "I am appealing to the Hindus of Bengal, that during Navratri, even if you don't keep the idols of the Goddess, do not sell non-veg near the idols," the self-styled godman said.

Shastri's remarks have gained significance as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari shared the stage with him and encouraged the preacher to open a centre in West Bengal. "During Durga Puja, the government will work to protect the culture of West Bengal and India. Baba Maharaj Ji, please open a center here. This is the land of the saints. This is the land of spiritual awakening," the Chief Minister said.

The calls have triggered sharp reactions across the state, with many describing them as an attempt to impose vegetarianism. The debate is particularly sensitive given that during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign, the BJP leadership made efforts to convince voters that the party was not in favour of imposing vegetarianism, with leaders prominently displaying fish.

Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021. The recognition highlighted the community aspect of the festival, noting that "the divides of class, religion and ethnicities collapse as crowds of spectators walk around to admire the installations."

Over 40,000 community Durga Pujas are held across the state, with around 3,000 in Kolkata alone. The previous Trinamool Congress government began giving cash to every community puja in 2018, while the current BJP government is yet to take a decision on the matter.