NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at Thanthania Kalibari, one of the few temples dedicated to goddess Kali where meat is served as 'prasad', ahead of his roadshow in Kolkata. This move is widely interpreted in political circles as a strong signal to voters, aimed at countering the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) portrayal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a 'north Indian party' that is strictly vegetarian and uncomfortable with Bengal's non-vegetarian food culture.
Significance of Thanthania Kalibari
Thanthania Kalibari, where the deity is worshipped as Maa Siddheshwari, is among the oldest and most revered Kali temples in Kolkata. It is believed that the revered spiritual figure Ramakrishna Paramahansa frequently visited this temple, where he sang hymns to the goddess. The temple's unique tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad sets it apart from most Hindu temples.
Political Context
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has led the TMC's charge, alleging that if the BJP comes to power, it will attempt to curb Bengal's meat-eating habits and replace them with practices from north Indian states, where non-vegetarian food is often avoided on religious occasions. This narrative of the BJP as an outsider party unfamiliar with Bengali culture has been central to her political attacks, prompting the national party to make concerted efforts to dispel such perceptions.
BJP functionaries, including MP Anurag Thakur, have previously shared pictures of themselves eating 'maach-bhat' (fish and rice) during their campaign in Bengal, emphasizing their acceptance of local food customs. Modi's visit to Thanthania Kalibari is expected to reinforce this message effectively.
Historical Background
The practice of offering non-vegetarian prasad at this temple was initiated by Ramakrishna Paramahansa. When he fell ill, his followers prayed at the temple for his swift recovery and served non-vegetarian prasad to the deity. This tradition continues to this day, making the temple a symbol of Bengal's distinct religious and cultural practices.
Modi, who is a vegetarian and observes fasting during Navratras, made a deliberate choice to visit this temple, underscoring the BJP's respect for Bengal's traditions. The visit is part of a broader strategy to connect with the state's voters and challenge the TMC's narrative ahead of the assembly elections.
