{
  "id": 6250945,
  "title": "Durga Puja under BJP rule in West Bengal: A push for vegetarianism and tradition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/durga-puja-under-bjp-rule-in-west-bengal-a-push-for-vegetarianism-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T07:33:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/durga-puja-under-bjp-rule-in-west-bengal-a-push-for-vegetarianism-and-tradition/article71441501.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Durga Puja, a significant festival in West Bengal, is under scrutiny due to the BJP government's recommendations for dietary preferences and other traditions. The controversy began when Vishwa Hindu Parishad office bearers advised against serving non-vegetarian food at Durga Puja pandals. This was echoed by a religious preacher, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, who appealed to Hindus not to sell non-vegetarian food near the idols during Navratri. The BJP government endorsed Shastri's visit, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari even invited him for a dinner and a center setup in the state. Despite the controversy, the government has not imposed any restrictions on food consumption during the festival. However, it has issued a set of do’s and don’ts for Durga Puja, including a ban on cranes at immersion ghats and a dry day on Ashtami. The government has also criticized organizers who seek financial assistance from the State.",
  "summary": "Self-styled godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri appealed to Hindus of Bengal not to sell meat near Durga Puja pandals",
  "key_points": [
    "BJP government endorses Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Durga Puja guidelines.",
    "Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari invites religious preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.",
    "State issues Durga Puja do’s and don’ts, including food restrictions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The BJP government's endorsement of vegetarianism and traditional practices during Durga Puja marks a shift in the celebration's tone, aligning it with conservative Hindu values.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "West Bengal’s finances are in poor shape; recovery will take at least a year: CM Suvendu Adhikari",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/west-bengals-finances-are-in-poor-shape-recovery-will-take-at-least-a",
        "published": "2026-09-08T05:19:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}