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Politics
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Defends Controversial Godman Over Meat‑Free Durga Puja Request
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 11 Sep 2026, 12:33 PM
👁 32
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly supported a self‑styled godman who asked devotees to avoid meat during Durga Puja, sparking debate over religious freedom and dietary customs.
Kolkata, Sept 11 (The Hindu) – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stepped in to defend a self‑proclaimed godman who recently urged followers to refrain from eating meat during the Durga Puja festivities. In a brief press interaction, Banerjee said the godman's personal dietary advice should not be politicised and that individuals are free to follow his counsel if they wish.
The godman, whose identity was not disclosed in the statement, has been circulating messages urging devotees to adopt a meat‑free diet as a sign of devotion during the nine‑day festival. While some devotees welcomed the suggestion as a spiritual discipline, others viewed it as an intrusion into traditional culinary practices that often include meat dishes such as kosha mangsho.
Banerjee's defence has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who argue that the chief minister is endorsing a fringe religious figure and blurring the line between state authority and personal belief. Critics also warned that such endorsements could fuel communal tensions in a state known for its diverse religious customs.
Supporters of the godman, however, praised the CM’s stance as a reaffirmation of individual choice in matters of faith. They contend that the government’s role is limited to ensuring safety and order during the festival, not regulating personal dietary decisions.
The episode adds to a series of recent controversies surrounding the intersection of religion and politics in West Bengal, as the state prepares for the concluding days of Durga Puja, a period marked by large public gatherings and heightened cultural sensitivities.
The godman, whose identity was not disclosed in the statement, has been circulating messages urging devotees to adopt a meat‑free diet as a sign of devotion during the nine‑day festival. While some devotees welcomed the suggestion as a spiritual discipline, others viewed it as an intrusion into traditional culinary practices that often include meat dishes such as kosha mangsho.
Banerjee's defence has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who argue that the chief minister is endorsing a fringe religious figure and blurring the line between state authority and personal belief. Critics also warned that such endorsements could fuel communal tensions in a state known for its diverse religious customs.
Supporters of the godman, however, praised the CM’s stance as a reaffirmation of individual choice in matters of faith. They contend that the government’s role is limited to ensuring safety and order during the festival, not regulating personal dietary decisions.
The episode adds to a series of recent controversies surrounding the intersection of religion and politics in West Bengal, as the state prepares for the concluding days of Durga Puja, a period marked by large public gatherings and heightened cultural sensitivities.