BJP’s Keya Ghosh Defends Fish Offering at Kalighat, Calls Congress ‘Anti‑Hindu’

Kolkata, West Bengal – On Saturday, BJP MLA Keya Ghosh stepped into a heated cultural debate that began after senior priest Bageshwar Baba Dhirendra Shastri raised concerns over the serving of non‑vegetarian food during Durga Puja. The controversy intensified when a fish ‘bhog’ (offering) was presented at the historic Kalighat Temple as part of a ceremony endorsed by the state’s chief minister.

Ghosh publicly defended the chief minister’s decision, arguing that the inclusion of fish respects longstanding regional customs and should not be politicised. She further accused the opposition Congress party of being “anti‑Hindu,” suggesting that its criticism of the offering was an attempt to divide the community on religious lines.

The episode has resurfaced debates about food practices in Hindu temples, especially in a state where vegetarianism is often championed during festivals. For the South‑Asian diaspora, the incident underscores how cultural traditions intersect with politics back home, influencing perceptions of religious freedom and party narratives. As the discussion continues in Indian media, overseas communities are watching to see whether the controversy will shape future temple rituals or become another flashpoint in state‑level partisan rivalry.