Political leader condemns religious figure for community division

During a press interaction with IANS in New Delhi, CPI(M) spokesperson P. Santosh Kumar sharply criticized Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the spiritual head of Bageshwar Dham, for his remarks linking meat consumption to the observance of Durga Puja in West Bengal.

Santosh asserted that the priest’s call to abstain from non‑vegetarian food represents a calculated move to sow discord among communities. He emphasized that India’s rich tapestry of festivals should be celebrated without imposing restrictive religious edicts that alienate segments of the population.

The leader also used the platform to address a series of unrelated yet troubling incidents: he expressed grief over the alleged killing of a Manipur music teacher and highlighted the persistent assaults on Muslims and Dalits nationwide. Santosh dismissed attempts to politicize these tragedies, insisting that intolerance, wherever it appears, must be condemned.

In Kerala, the CPI(M) representative condemned police action against a journalist following a televised debate, describing the move as an infringement on journalistic independence and an example of state overreach.