Now Reading: VHP urges Bengal Durga Puja organisers to keep non-veg away from pandals
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VHP urges Bengal Durga Puja organisers to keep non-veg away from pandals
VHP urges Bengal Durga Puja organisers to keep non-veg away from pandals
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday issued guidelines for Durga Puja organisers in Bengal, urging them to ensure non-vegetarian food is not sold or consumed in and around puja pandals. The…
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday issued guidelines for Durga Puja organisers in Bengal, urging them to ensure non-vegetarian food is not sold or consumed in and around puja pandals. The organisation said it is not seeking a blanket ban, acknowledging that Durga Puja in Bengal has never been strictly vegetarian, but stressed that the sanctity of the goddess's idol must be preserved and kept free from contact with non-vegetarian food.
VHP central advisory council member Nirgunananda said that if non-vegetarian food must be sold, it should be restricted to designated areas away from the pandal. He also stated that Hindu religious customs should be upheld by Hindus, and that people of other faiths are welcome to visit pandals but the responsibility of maintaining traditions lies with Hindus. The VHP indicated it could intervene if puja committees fail to take steps to maintain the idol's sanctity.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The VHP's directive comes as Bengal's Durga Puja, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2021, has grown into a public spectacle with thousands of community-organised pandals drawing millions of visitors. The state government, led by the Trinamool Congress, has historically resisted such interventions, citing the festival's inclusive and secular character. In 2023, similar calls by right-wing groups sparked protests from organisers and political parties. The next flashpoint will be whether puja committees, many of which rely on food stalls for fundraising, comply with the VHP's request ahead of the festival in October.
Source: indiatoday.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
