South Kolkata District Congress general secretary Atanu Das was arrested from his residence in Tollygunge in the early hours of Friday, triggering strong protests from the Congress.
Bageshwar Baba remarks trigger Bengal controversy
Controversial Madhya Pradesh preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, has been at the centre of a political controversy in Bengal over the past few days. During his recent visit to the state, he made controversial remarks about eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
Congress stages protests over controversial remarks
Shastri reportedly said that those who eat non-vegetarian food during the Puja are “pakhandi”, meaning hypocrites or sinners. His remarks sparked widespread criticism. Even BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya strongly opposed the statement and said that the BJP had no connection with Bageshwar Baba.
In protest against the remarks, Congress workers burned a photograph of Bageshwar Baba in Bhabanipur. The Congress also staged protests at several places across Bengal over the “pakhandi” comment.
Chief minister orders immediate police action
The issue was raised in the state Assembly on Thursday. Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari said, “I saw some people burning his photograph in front of Bhabanipur police station. I am asking the police commissioner to arrest them immediately. Such things will not be tolerated in this state.”
Assembly raises issue of protest crackdown
Hours after the statement, police took action.
On Thursday night, Bhabanipur police arrested Atanu Das from his residence in Tollygunge. The arrest has triggered anger within the Congress.
Party vows protests over Bengali insult
Congress leaders said, “Bageshwar Baba insulted the Bengali community, and our leader was arrested for protesting against him. Yet, there were no cases when effigies of former chief ministers were burned.”
The Congress maintained that it would continue to protest whenever it believes the Bengali community has been insulted.
