In other parts of the country, eating non-vegetarian food in temples is considered unacceptable. But in Tamil Nadu, non-vegetarian food is offered in some temples.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been involved in an effort to change the practice of non-vegetarian food in temples. Fish is the staple food of the people of West Bengal. During the last assembly election, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee campaigned saying that if the BJP came to power, they would even ban eating fish.
Following this, BJP leaders ate fish dishes during the election campaign, saying that they are not against fish.
The BJP is currently engaged in an effort to once again promote fish consumption. On the eve of Kaushiki Amavasya, Chief Minister Swandhu Adhikari visited Kalighat yesterday evening.
There, he sat on the floor and ate a meal that included a large fish head. In addition, fried fish and basanti pulao were also on his plate (yellow rice). It is a tradition at Kalighat to offer fish and goat meat to Kali, the presiding deity there.
The prasadam offered to the deity is later consumed by devotees. Amid frequent criticism that the BJP is importing vegetarian eating habits into Bengal, where people eat meat, Swapan Adhikari has dismissed that by sitting in a temple and eating non-vegetarian food.
Furthermore, the BJP has said that by Swapan Adhikari eating non-vegetarian food in the temple, the controversy over non-vegetarian and vegetarian food has been put to rest.
In this regard, in an interview given by the party’s spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, he said, "The controversy should end here. In Kalighat, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is participating in Maa Kali’s traditional fish feast. He respects Bengal’s faith, traditions, and way of life. Under his leadership, the BJP will always stand firmly for Bengal’s interests, Bengal’s traditions, and what is right for Bengal."
The vegetarian food controversy arose after Dhirendra Shastri, the chief priest of Bageshwar Dham, also known as Bageshwar Baba, appealed to Bengali Hindus to avoid non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
He also called Bengali Hindus who eat non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja “pagandi” (deceivers). “During Durga Puja, meat and liquor shops should be closed in West Bengal,” said Shastri.