Religious Leader’s Call to Ban Meat During Durga Puja Sparks Legal Action by Bengal Congress

The West Bengal Congress has taken legal steps against a religious figure who, in a recent address, urged the public to keep meat away from Durga Puja pandals and Navratri events. The saint’s speech, delivered at a gathering in Liluah, Hooghly district, featured harsh language, branding local cooking as “dirty” and accusing devotees of hypocrisy.

Party officials lodged the complaint at Bhowanipur police station, demanding that authorities register an FIR and investigate possible offences under the law. Pradeep Prasad, the party’s South Kolkata district president, stressed that any attempt to impose dietary restrictions on a community during its most cherished festival threatens social harmony. Manas Sarkar, the Central Kolkata district president, submitted a supporting email to the police, insisting on swift action.

The complaint underscores that the saint’s remarks were made in the presence of senior officials and elected representatives, thereby amplifying their impact. Congress leaders warned that such statements could inflame communal tensions and undermine the rich cultural heritage associated with Durga Puja.