Categories
Communal Organisations Communalism Freedom Minorities

From a Bengali Hindu, On beef, Fish and Vegetarianism

Wonderful. I can sign for every word. While beef may not be a commonly accepted dish in a Bengali Hindu family, vegetarianism in Bengal is a relatively uncommon phenomenon.

Bengali is known by his love for fish, meat and chicken in every possible form. While Ramayana is a sacred book but traditionally in a Bengali family a grandmother sits down after her evening puja to read and recite from Mahabharata.

A Bengali never worships goddess Laxmi on a dark night, so Kali and not Laxmi is worshipped on Diwali night. Most Bengalis worship Shakti in form of Kali and Durga. Animal sacrifice is common (many have discontinued now a days due to various reasons).

Durga Puja is the main festival, and not Diwali. Festivals like Karva Chauth or Raksha Bandhan are not celebrated in a common Bengali family.

While a Bengali Muslim doesn't mind enjoying the Durga Puja along with his Hindu neighbour, the latter in turn waits eagerly for the Eid sweets.

Hindutva of today, that's being forced upon the country has little in common with Bengali culture.

Exit mobile version