Congress leader summoned by police for ‘burning’ Bageshwar Baba's photo over Durga Puja remark

On September 13, 2026, West Bengal Congress general secretary Ashutosh Chatterjee learned he was being summoned by the police following allegations of burning a photograph of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, commonly known as Bageshwar Baba, during a protest related to Shastri's controversial remarks about Durga Puja. Chatterjee was informed of the notice from Bhawanipur police station at around 10 a.m., with a request to appear before the investigating officer at 3 p.m.

The incident unfolded after a demonstration held on September 8 outside the Bhawanipur police station in south Kolkata, sparked by Shastri's comments criticizing Bengalis, Bengal's culture, and food practices during Durga Puja. During the protest, a photograph of Shastri was reportedly trampled on, struck with footwear, and set ablaze, according to police reports. As a result, South Kolkata district Congress general secretary Atanu Das was arrested.

Chatterjee, along with South Kolkata district Congress president Pradip Prasad, has been accused in the case. The situation was prompted by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's order on September 10, directing the police to apprehend those responsible for damaging Shastri's photograph, emphasizing that such actions would not be condoned.

Chatterjee expressed that the Congress would not back down in the face of anyone who had disrespected Bengalis or Bengal's traditions. He also questioned why no action had been taken against Shastri in response to the remarks that had caused the controversy. During a September 5 programme in Howrah's Liluah, Shastri had advocated for Bengalis to refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and referred to meat-eaters at religious gatherings as "hypocrites."

The Congress had previously lodged a complaint at the Bhawanipur police station, seeking appropriate measures against Shastri.