KOLKATA: A protest against Bageshwar Baba Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s remarks on Bengali food habits turned into a political flashpoint on Thursday, with CM Suvendu Adhikari seeking arrests of Congress workers who allegedly burnt his photographs.The Congress, which had organised the protest, hit back at the BJP leader, with West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Ashutosh Chatterjee saying he was proud of the demonstration and questioning why action had not been taken against Shastri over his remarks.
Suvendu orders arrests over photo-burning protest
Speaking in the Assembly during a special session to discuss a state university amendment Bill, Adhikari directed the Kolkata Police commissioner to act against those who allegedly burnt portraits of Shastri during the September 8 protest, PTI reported.“A saint had recently visited our state and spoke in his own way about the ideals of patriotism, nationalism, united nationhood and this country’s tradition and culture. Those who want to accept them can do it, while others are at liberty to reject them. He did not impose anything on anyone. But I saw a few people burning his portraits before the Bhabanipur PS,” Adhikari said.“I am directing the CP from here to arrest those people. We will not tolerate such activities in this state anymore. There has been enough appeasement politics here,” he added.
Congress leader defends protest
Chatterjee, who led the protest outside Bhabanipur police station, remained defiant after the arrest order.“An a proud Bengali, I wear this as a badge of honour,” he said.He also accused the TMC government of appeasement politics and questioned its response to Shastri’s remarks.“Everyone who stays in West Bengal is a Bengali, going by the wider definition of the term. The community Pujas in every locality involve participation of both Bengali and non-Bengali people. The CM is considering those who insult Bengalis and their food habits as his friend. But I wish to know what he thinks about those Bengalis who voted him to power,” Chatterjee said.“Interestingly, the CM has not issued any order against the person who came here and insulted us using abusive language and called us ‘pakhandi’,” he added.
Suvendu links row to upcoming bypolls
Turning his attack towards the alleged appeasement politics of the Trinamool Congress, Adhikari linked the issue to the opposition party’s electoral performance.“Your numbers have sharply dwindled because of this appeasement policy you pursued, and even that number is divided into four factions. Ours, on the other hand, has gone up to 207 and following the bypolls, it will go up to at least 208. We will also fight the Reginagar seat with all our might,” he said, referring to the upcoming two-seat Assembly bypolls scheduled for October 6.
What sparked Bageshwar Baba controversy ?
The latest confrontation stems from remarks made by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, during a recent programme in Liluah, Howrah.Shastri had appealed to people not to consume or sell non-vegetarian food near Durga Puja pandals during Navratri.He described such food as “dirty” and called those who consumed it “pakhandi”, or hypocrites, while urging Hindus in Bengal to boycott the practice.He also sought support from the audience for enforcing the proposed boycott.The comments triggered criticism from political leaders and the Congress, which filed a police complaint seeking his arrest.Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, however, had said Bengalis had the right to follow their traditional food habits.
Congress says FIR copy not received
Following the remarks, the Central and South Kolkata district Congress leadership approached Bhabanipur police station and submitted a written complaint against the religious leader.The protesters also staged a demonstration outside the police station by burning banners and a picture of Shastri.Chatterjee alleged that although he had requested in his complaint that it be treated as an FIR, he had not received a copy even after 48 hours.“The chief minister has time to talk about this in Vidhan Sabha, but he cannot ensure that we get the FIR copy. It seems people around him are misguiding him,” Chatterjee said.The political exchange has added another flashpoint to the ongoing debate over Shastri’s comments on food practices during Bengal’s Durga Puja celebrations.(With agency inputs)
