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    "@id": "https://niharikatimes.com/en/article/bengal-bjp-rejects-call-to-avoid-meat-during-durga-puja",
    "url": "https://niharikatimes.com/en/article/bengal-bjp-rejects-call-to-avoid-meat-during-durga-puja",
    "article_id": 4921,
    "headline": "Bengal BJP Rejects Call to Avoid Meat During Durga Puja",
    "summary": "The Bengal BJP has rejected a call by religious leader Dhirendra Shastri to avoid non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, stating that fish and meat are integral to Bengali culture. The party emphasized that dietary habits will remain unchanged despite the appeal.",
    "articleBody": "The Bengal BJP has dismissed a religious leader's appeal urging state residents to adopt vegetarianism during Durga Puja. The party questioned how Bengalis could give up fish and meat, asserting their cultural dietary habits will remain unchanged.\n\nThe appeal was made by Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, during an event in Liluah. He urged people to avoid non-vegetarian food during the festival. However, the Bengal BJP responded firmly, stating, \"How can Bengalis not have fish and meat?\" emphasizing the importance of these foods in Bengali culture.\n\nBageshwar Baba's office shared photos of the event on social media, referring to him as a religious leader. During the event, an image of Goddess Durga with 11 hands instead of the usual 10 was also noted. Despite the appeal, the BJP's stance reflects the community's continued preference for fish and meat during Durga Puja.",
    "word_count": 148,
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    "published_at": "2026-09-07T15:43:44+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2026-09-07T15:43:44+00:00",
    "language": "en",
    "authors": [
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            "name": "निहारिका टाइम्स न्यूज़ डेस्क",
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    "key_takeaways": [
        "Bengal BJP rejects call to avoid meat during Durga Puja",
        "Religious leader Bageshwar Baba urges vegetarianism in Liluah",
        "BJP stresses fish and meat as integral to Bengali culture",
        "Image of Goddess Durga with 11 hands seen at event",
        "Bageshwar Baba’s office shared event photos on social media"
    ],
    "faq": [
        {
            "question": "Who is Bageshwar Baba?",
            "answer": "Bageshwar Baba, also called Dhirendra Shastri, is a religious leader who made the vegetarian appeal."
        },
        {
            "question": "Where was the vegetarian appeal made?",
            "answer": "The appeal was made during an event in Liluah, West Bengal."
        },
        {
            "question": "How did the Bengal BJP justify rejecting the appeal?",
            "answer": "They emphasized the cultural significance of fish and meat in Bengali diets."
        }
    ],
    "timeline": [
        {
            "date": "During Durga Puja 2023",
            "event": "Bageshwar Baba appeals to avoid non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja"
        },
        {
            "date": "Shortly after the appeal",
            "event": "Bengal BJP rejects the call to abstain from meat and fish"
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