Amid fish ban row, PM offers prayers at Kolkata Kalibari known for non-veg prasad

As political bickering over food practices in Bengal assumes a central role in poll-bound West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kolkata’s Thanthania Kalibari is filled with symbolism.

For one, this 300-year-old temple is known for its rare tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad. In a politically charged environment where food has taken centre stage, Prime Minister Modi seeking blessings at this temple before heading for a roadshow in the city, which goes to polls on April 29, assumes significance.

In fact, PM Modi’s brief stops throughout Sunday in and around poll-bound Kolkata carried an underlying outreach. Before visiting Thanthania Kalibari, PM Modi offered prayers at Matua Thakurbari in North 24 Parganas. This is seen as an outreach to one of the BJP’s core vote banks in the Matua community, which holds direct and indirect sway over at least 50 constituencies, some along the Bangladesh border.

Both political observers and the Trinamool Congress have pointed out that fears over SIR and citizenship among the Matua community might eat into the BJP’s core voter base. Against this backdrop, PM Modi’s visit to Thakurbari assumes greater significance, as it is central to the beliefs of the Matua Namashudra community and houses the shrines of the sect’s founders, Hari Chand Thakur and Guru Chand Thakur.

A TEMPLE OLDER THAN THE CITY

After visiting Thakurbari in the morning and assuring the Matua community that they will receive citizenship under the CAA, PM Modi’s next stop at Thanthania Kalibari has brought one of Kolkata’s oldest shrines into focus, where Maa Kali is worshipped as Maa Siddheshwari and long-standing rituals continue to draw devotees. Thanthania Kalibari is among the few temples in India where non-vegetarian prasad is offered to the deity.

The practice traces back to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who once offered “dab-chingri” (prawns cooked in coconut) to Maa Siddheshwari while praying for the recovery of Brahmananda Keshav Chandra Sen.

Since then, the ritual has continued. Devotees followed the same practice when Ramakrishna fell ill during his stay at Shyampukur, offering non-vegetarian prasad while praying for his recovery.

Established in 1703, the temple predates the formal development of Kolkata. The presiding deity is considered ‘Jagrat’, believed to be ever-awake and responsive to devotees’ prayers.

The shrine continues to attract large numbers of devotees and remains deeply rooted in the city’s spiritual identity.

LINK TO RAMAKRISHNA PARAMAHANSA

The temple shares a strong association with Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who is believed to have frequently visited and sung devotional hymns here.

An inscription inside the temple reads: “Shankarer hridoy majhe, Kali biraje” - meaning Maa Kali resides within the heart of Shankar.

POLITICAL DEBATE OVER FOOD

The visit comes amid ongoing political exchanges in West Bengal over non-vegetarian food habits.

Leaders of the Trinamool Congress, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, have claimed that the BJP may interfere with the state’s food culture if voted to power. They have pointed to restrictions on the sale of fish and meat in some NDA-ruled states such as Bihar and Gujarat during certain festivals.

Banerjee has said such measures show a lack of understanding of Bengal’s cultural identity.

The BJP has however, rejected the allegations. State president Samik Bhattacharya and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said there is no plan to ban non-vegetarian food and that people’s food choices will be respected.

BJP leader Temjen Imna Along also weighed in, sharing a video of himself eating meat dishes and writing, “Mamata Didi, I am in the BJP and a non-vegetarian by hobby.”

Union Minister Anurag Thakur, along with other BJP leaders, was also seen eating fish and rice on the last day of campaigning for the first phase of the Assembly elections, in what was seen as a counter to the claims.

VISIT BEFORE ROADSHOW

Modi’s visit came ahead of his roadshow in North Kolkata, adding a religious dimension to his outreach in the poll-bound state.

The stop at Thanthania Kalibari placed the spotlight on Kolkata’s enduring spiritual traditions even as the political campaign gathered pace.