No Food Discussion, No Fatwas: VHP On Reports Of Satvik Food On Durga Puja

The right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad has denied reports that claimed that they are asking Bengalis follow a satvik vegetarian diet during the Durga Puja. The advice, they said, was about the puja themes and general cleanliness at the puja grounds. The clarification came amid a raging ongoing discussion on social media on the matter. Amiya Sarkar, secretary of VHP's eastern region, said for the last two or three days, a section of media and social media is spreading misinformation about a meeting held on August 26 with Durga Puja organisers. At the meeting, he said the discussion was only about following Satvik rituals. "The VHP wants to make it clear that it is not against theme-based Durga Puja. Neither did we discuss this (food) issue during that meeting," he said. "We wish to clarify that we have issued no such directive.