How fish has BJP's plate full in West Bengal
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Kalighat Temple for Kaushiki Amavasya prayers and accepted a traditional fish and basanti pulao bhog, a move that coincided with a BJP effort to distance itself from Bageshwar Dham leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s anti‑non‑vegetarian remarks. The episode highlights the party’s delicate balancing act between religious sentiment and political messaging in the state.
- ✓West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Kalighat Temple for Kaushiki Amavasya prayers and accepted a traditional fish and basanti pulao bhog, a move that coincided with a BJP effort to distance itself from Bageshwar Dham leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s anti‑non‑vegetarian remarks.
- ✓The episode highlights the party’s delicate balancing act between religious sentiment and political messaging in the state.
- ✓Civic Domain: Categorized under politics public notices.
West Bengal’s chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, performed puja at the Kalighat Temple on the occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya and partook of a traditional offering that included fish and basanti pulao. His participation came as the BJP’s Bengal unit sought to separate itself from recent comments by Bageshwar Dham head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, who urged Bengali Hindus to avoid non‑vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
The temple visit was reported on September 15, 2026, and followed a series of events that began on September 4 when Adhikari shared a stage with Shastri at a Hanuman Katha program in Liluah, Howrah. Two days later, Shastri publicly appealed to Hindus in Bengal to refrain from selling, cooking, or consuming non‑veg near Durga Puja idols, labeling such practices as “pakhandi.” During the Kalighat ceremony, priests presented fish head, fried fish, and basanti pulao, which Adhikari accepted while reiterating his personal adherence to a sattvik diet on specific religious days.
Shastri’s statements sparked a political controversy, prompting the BJP’s state leadership to clarify that individual religious leaders may voice personal opinions, but the party does not endorse a blanket ban on non‑vegetarian food. Adhikari’s remarks underscored the tension between respecting Bengali culinary traditions and addressing the concerns raised by a prominent religious figure, a dynamic that could influence the BJP’s outreach strategy ahead of upcoming elections in West Bengal.
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| Issuing Authority | Times of India National |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | POLITICS |
| Jurisdiction | WB State |
| Publication Date | 15 September 2026 |