Elite Kolkata Durga Pujas Keep Meat on Menus Amid Vegetarian Campaign

Kolkata’s historic "bonedi bari" Durga puja committees have reaffirmed their decision to serve non‑vegetarian dishes, despite a recent campaign by self‑styled godman Bageshwar Baba urging a strictly vegetarian celebration. The Hindu reported that the puja organizers view the demand as an intrusion into long‑standing cultural practices.

Bageshwar Baba, who has gained a following in West Bengal for his spiritual talks, has publicly urged families and puja committees to drop meat, fish and egg preparations during the nine‑day festival. He argues that a vegetarian menu aligns better with the goddess’s purity and the spiritual ethos of the puja. The Hindu noted that his statements have sparked heated debates on social media and in local political circles.

In response, the trustees of several high‑profile bonedi bari pujas, many of which are run by generations of affluent Bengali families, have insisted that meat dishes are an integral part of their traditional feasts. They contend that the menu reflects the region’s culinary heritage and that any external pressure threatens the autonomy of community‑run celebrations. According to The Hindu, the committees have also warned that imposing a vegetarian-only rule could alienate a segment of worshippers who expect the customary spread.

The bonedi bari pujas, often hosted in heritage homes across North Kolkata, are known for elaborate pandals, intricate idol work and lavish banquet spreads that include fish curry, mutton bhuna and egg bhurji alongside sweets. Historically, Bengal’s cuisine has blended vegetarian and non‑vegetarian elements, a practice that dates back to the colonial era when meat dishes became symbols of hospitality and status among the city’s elite families.

Food choices during religious festivals have repeatedly become flashpoints in India, where dietary norms intersect with politics and identity. Similar controversies have arisen in other states, such as the 2022 push for vegetarian-only menus in certain Tamil Nadu temples, prompting legal challenges and public protests. In West Bengal, the debate also taps into broader discussions about the influence of spiritual leaders on cultural traditions and the role of the state in regulating religious practices.

While Bageshwar Baba’s campaign has drawn support from some political figures who champion vegetarianism, the bonedi bari pujas appear poised to maintain their current menus for this year’s Durga Puja. Observers suggest that the outcome may set a precedent for how future festivals negotiate the balance between devotional purity and culinary tradition.