Bengal BJP minister backs non-veg during Durga Puja

Kolkata: West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh has defended the consumption of non-vegetarian food during the Durga Puja festival. He dismissed claims by self-proclaimed saint Bageshwar Baba, known as Bageshwar Baba, that non-vegetarian food is controversial and that he had urged Bengalis to give it up. Ghosh argued that saints advocate for vegetarian food for good health, citing the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

He noted that Bengal has a long-standing tradition of consuming goat meat as prasad during Durga Puja and that people should be free to choose their food habits. The minister criticized the previous Trinamool Congress government for trying to dictate people's food choices and accused it of diluting the festival's traditional values.

Ghosh also questioned the need for government funds to organize Durga Puja, suggesting that society should take the lead in hosting the festival. He called on officials to remain vigilant against chaos caused by individuals who sought to disrupt the celebrations.