{
  "id": 7061608,
  "title": "Kolkata’s Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas stick to ‘non-veg’; reject Bageshwar Baba’s ‘veg only’ push",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/kolkatas-bonedi-bari-durga-pujas-stick-to-non-veg-reject-bageshwar",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T04:32:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/kolkatas-bonedi-bari-durga-pujas-stick-to-non-veg-reject-bageshwar-babas-veg-only-push/article71460094.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kolkata's aristocratic Durga Pujas, known as Bonedi Bari, have decided to continue their long-standing \"non-vegetarian\" traditions instead of embracing Dhirendra Shastri's \"vegetarian only\" push. The debate over vegetarian and non-vegetarian food during Bengal's biggest festival has intensified as the event approaches, with the aristocratic households firmly rejecting Bageshwar Baba's directive. Srimant Roy Chowdhury, a 35th-generation member of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family, stated that their 417-year-old Durga Puja cannot be dictated by someone from outside. Similarly, Prabir Krishna Deb, an 8th-generation member of the Raja Naba Krishna Deb lineage, emphasized that their traditions should be respected. The Darjipara Mitra Bari Durga Puja, a famous women-led 220-year-old Durga Puja, also reiterated their commitment to their traditions, stating they will continue to offer non-vegetarian food to Goddess Durga. The controversy surrounding Bageshwar Baba's comments about non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and Navratri has sparked heated debates across Bengal's political and social circles.",
  "summary": "Since the self-styled godman’s diktat over non-veg food during Durga Pujas, Bengal has seen many heated political and social debates over the issue",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Kolkata food safety drive: What it means for city’s hospitality economy before Durga Puja",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/kolkata-food-safety-drive-what-it-means-for-citys-hospitality-economy",
        "published": "2026-09-11T12:33:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}