Bengal CM Adhikari joins 'Mach Bhog' at Kalighat

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was photographed enjoying Mach Bhog at the Kalighat temple in Kolkata, signaling that the government and the BJP have no plans to ban non-vegetarian food near pandals during the Durga Puja festival. The CM's gesture was a clear response to the recent controversy surrounding Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Baba, who had been touring the state to conduct religious events.

Shastri had cautioned people against consuming non-vegetarian food near puja pandals during Navaratri.

Adhikari's decision to partake in Mach Bhog at Kalighat faced opposition from opposition parties, particularly the Congress. Protests erupted across the state, with Congress activists even attempting to burn Shastri's effigy. In response, Adhikari addressed the Assembly, vehemently opposing the protesters and calling for their arrest.

Amidst the growing dissent over personal food choices, several BJP leaders, including state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, defended Adhikari's stance. They maintained that food preferences are a matter for the people of West Bengal to decide independently, and no external entity should dictate what they can or cannot consume.