'Appeasement politics': BJP slams Congress for seeking FIR against Dhirendra Shastri

New Delhi, Sep 10 (AHN) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lashed out at the Congress after it sought to file an FIR against spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri after the latter urged Hindus in West Bengal to avoid non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, calling the action "appeasement politics".

Speaking to AHN on Wednesday, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi said: "Filing a case against someone who speaks about maintaining the sanctity of Maa Durga's worship is appeasement politics. Congress can stoop to any level of appeasement for its vote bank."

"Congress resorts to such appeasement politics whenever there is a discussion about Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman or Maa Bhagwati," he alleged.

West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh told reporters that the FIR has been filed to prove that the Congress party "is still alive".

Ghosh said: "He (Dhirendra Shastri) expressed his opinion, if someone agrees with it, they will accept it. More than 50 per cent of the people in this country are vegetarians."

While maintaining that both vegetarians and non-vegetarians have co-existed in West Bengal without any conflict, Dilip Ghosh blamed the previous Trinamool Congress-led state government for raising the "non-veg" issue.

"Whatever one eats is his or her personal choice, not a legal matter. However, there are certain days which were consider as holy and avoid eating non-veg food," he added.

Adding to the criticism, BJP chief spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo said: "The Congress always had a kind of love-hate relationship with 'Baba Bageshwar' (Dhirendra Shastri). During its regime, Congress has consistently targeted prominent figures of Sanatan Dharma, including babas and religious gurus."

Referring to Islamic cleric Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad's objectionable remark, Deo asked: "Does Congress have the courage to say about a Muslim religious leader what it is saying about Baba Bageshwar?...the party has maintained a certified silence on the remarks made by the Grand Mufti of India, against women."

However, the Congress accused the BJP of attempting "to control" the lifestyle and habits of common people.

Congress MP Amar Singh told AHN: "They want to control everything, right from food to clothing choices. This is the primary thought of the RSS... Meanwhile, the whole world has moved far ahead. The world has made tremendous progress, but they are still stuck in the same religious mindset."