Bengal: Congress leader arrested for burning Dhirendra Shastri effigy, says party
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The West Bengal Congress on Friday said that its leader Atanu Das has been arrested for holding a peaceful protest and burning the effigy of religious leader Dhirendra Shastri.
In a statement, state Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar condemned the arrest of Das on Thursday night and demanded his unconditional release.
This came hours after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that he had ordered the arrest of those burning photographs of Shastri to protest against his call for a meat ban during the Durga Puja festival.
Sarkar said that the Opposition party’s fears had come true and that a “policy of repression by fascist forces has been unleashed” in West Bengal.
He asked why Shastri, the head of the Bageshwar Dham temple, had not been arrested for making “derogatory remarks” about Bengalis and “insulting” the state’s culture.
“Instead, those who are protesting peacefully and democratically to save Bengali culture and pride are having their democratic rights snatched away,” he said.
Das is the general secretary of Congress’ South Kolkata committee.
On Sunday, Shastri said that he does not like it when “dirty” non-vegetarian food is eaten during the Hindu festival and at gatherings linked to the celebration. Meat must not be sold near the goddess’ idol during the festival, he added. The festival will begin on October 6 and conclude on October...