Suvendu Eats Fish At Kali Temple, BJP Says Non-Veg Row Over

Sending out a clear signal to end the raging row over non-vegetarianism under the BJP-rule in West Bengal ahead of Durga Puja festival, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari ate fish as Bhog on Thursday evening during his visit to century-old Kalighat Temple in Kalighat on the occasion of Kaushiki Amabasya.

A video showed Mr Adhikari sitting on the floor of the temple premises with his party workers after offering puja to goddess Kali and relishing Bhog which included a massive fish head as a part of the platter that was already offered to the deity during a puja. Besides, there was Machh Bhaja (fried fish) and Basanti Pulao (yellow rice).

Taking a cue, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari felt that the controversy over vegetarianism and non-vegetarianism needed to end now. In a post on X-handle, he said, “Let the controversy end where it should. At Kalighat, CM @SuvenduWB takes part in Maa Kali's traditional Fish Bhog - respecting Bengal's faith, traditions, and way of life. Under his leadership, the BJP will always stand firmly for Bengal's interests, Bengal's traditions, and what is right for Bengal."

Interestingly, it was Mr Adhikari who last week hosted self-styled godman Bageshwar Baba whose diktat against the consumption of non-vegetarian food by Bengalis during Durga Puja not only triggered a massive uproar but also kicked up a storm within the state BJP, prompting many prominent leaders to reject the young Hindu religious preacher’s sermon.

Hit by the controversy, Bageshwar Baba was seen on Thursday in a video telling his followers at a congregation, “As soon as I returned from West Bengal, there was a big debate. I never spoke about anyone's food habits. I only made a straight talk about Durga Puja that meat should not be eaten at the mandap. I also did not support the rituals of sacrifice unlike others. It is my view which one may like or not. Many people however misinterpreted my comments.”