Suvendu Adhikari orders arrests over burning of Dhirendra Shastri photos
2 sources · India
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- Scroll.in
- The Indian Express
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Suvendu Adhikari has directed the police commissioner to arrest individuals who burned photographs of religious leader Dhirendra Shastri. The protests followed remarks made by Shastri, the head of Bageshwar Dham temple, during a religious event in Liluah, Howrah, where he called for a ban on the sale of meat near the goddess' idol during the Durga Puja festival and expressed dislike for non vegetarian food during the celebration. Adhikari stated that Shastri was sharing his views as a saint and was not imposing them on anyone.
The comments triggered a row in West Bengal, as eating meat and animal sacrifice are common practices among Bengali Hindus during Durga Puja. The Congress party filed police complaints against Shastri, accusing him of hurting sentiments and insulting the culture of the state. Some Congress workers reportedly burned photographs of Shastri outside the Bhawanipore police station in Kolkata. The Trinamool Congress also stated that Bengalis would not allow others to dictate their dietary or celebratory habits.
Internal reactions within the BJP varied. While Adhikari defended Shastri, BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya stated that Shastri has no right to decide what the people of Bengal eat and suggested that Bengalis should not be concerned about his remarks. A left leaning source notes that Shastri also spoke about nationalism and the concept of Akhand Bharat during his visit.
How each side framed it
- Left
- The left leaning source provided extensive context on the cultural conflict regarding meat eating in Bengal and highlighted the contradictions within the BJP's response.
- Centre
- The center leaning source focused on the directive for arrests and the political action taken by Adhikari.
Sources
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