Kolkata, Sep 8 — West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday backed state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya's remarks that food choices are a matter of personal preference, while emphasising that Bengal's long-standing cultural traditions, including offering fish to deities, must be respected.
"Generally, there is a belief in Sanatan Dharma that non-violence should be given the highest importance. Therefore, during prayers and religious rituals, there should be no violence and meat should not be sold. Vegetarian and sattvic food should be served so that a spiritual atmosphere can be maintained. However, Bengal has a different tradition, where fish is offered to deities as prasad. This tradition has been followed for generations. Saints express their views in their own way and advise everyone to maintain a sattvic lifestyle during worship and keep the religious atmosphere pure," said Ghosh.
His comments came a day after state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Monday said that what one eats or wears is a personal choice and it must remain personal. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an event, Bhattacharya said that no one has the right to decide what one should eat.
"What one eats or wears is a personal choice. Bengal’s food culture is diverse, and everyone has the freedom to follow their own preferences. Won’t Bengalis have fish or mutton? Even Swami Vivekananda approved of it. No saint, leader, or anyone else has the right to decide what you should eat. Personal choice must remain personal," said Bhattacharya.
The reaction from the BJP leader came days after a nationally popular religious guru said that non-vegetarian food should be kept away from Durga puja mandaps and during Navratri.
Asked to comment on the issue, Dilip Ghosh said, "Similarly, just as the food should be sattvic, the environment should also be free from intoxicants. If people consume or use intoxicants, or drink alcohol during the time of worship, it could disrupt the arrangements. How will the police be able to manage such a large crowd? Therefore, some kind of restriction or regulation is necessary. But Bengal has a different tradition which needs to be respected."
Meanwhile, Ghosh, also the former state BJP president, exuded confidence that the party would win the upcoming Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies on October 6.
"The by-election is going to be held, and the BJP is certain to win. The people have strongly supported the Bharatiya Janata Party here. The government is also taking firm decisions in coordination with the Centre and is working for the people. They are happy with the government’s performance. Therefore, to further strengthen the government, the people will vote for the BJP, and the party will win by a significant margin."