Opinion: Durga Puja In Bengal: Is BJP Trying To Rewrite The Cultural Narrative?

Updated: Sep 02, 2026 13:56 pm IST Published On Sep 02, 2026 13:45 pm IST Last Updated On Sep 02, 2026 13:56 pm IST

Published On Sep 02, 2026 13:45 pm IST

Last Updated On Sep 02, 2026 13:56 pm IST

Durga Puja just weeks away, is it possible that Bengal this time is heading for another version of pujo - a more kosher, Sanatani version that would placate the purists and strip the five-day festival of much of its colour and joy? A major controversy has been stirred up by media reports that claim the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has demanded that no non-vegetarian food be allowed, especially inside puja pandals. Adding to this was a call to restrict theme-based pandals. 

Amiya Sarkar, Secretary of VHP's Eastern Region, however, issued a clarification. 

"For the past two to three days, some media and social media handles are spreading misinformation about this meeting. The VHP wants to make it clear that it is not against theme-based Durga puja. We did not discuss this issue during that meeting. The VHP only requested the Puja organisers that themes chosen for the Durga puja pandals not be against Indian culture, its spirituality and national morale. Religious sentiments should not be hurt," he told NDTV.

"The VHP has already made its stand clear - the VHP doesn't not want to ban veg or non-veg food habits. This was not discussed either during that meeting," he said. 

"We want the area around the Durga puja pandals to be clean. Food stalls should maintain cleanliness so the wastes from those food stalls do not make the pandals dirty," he added. 

What's not clear here is who decides what is against Indian religious and cultural sensitivities. 

Bengal's Durga Puja is as much........

© NDTV