Kolkata: Organisers of big-ticket pujas and the catering industry are hoping that the cloud hanging over Durga Puja since Bageshwar Dham Peethadhishwar Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s appeal to the “Hindus of Bengal” to keep non-vegetarian food away from puja venues will soon clear.Puja organisers TOI spoke to are worried over the controversy, pointing out that Durga Puja is not only Bengal’s biggest celebration but also one of the key drivers of the state’s economy.According to some estimates, the multi-day festivity accounted for nearly 3% to 4% of Bengal’s annual GSDP in recent years. The festival economy was estimated at Rs 65,000 crore in 2025, with Kolkata alone contributing to around 65%-70% of the business. The food and beverage sector recorded a turnover of around Rs 1,200 crore-Rs 1,500 crore and online food delivery platforms saw peak orders cross 197 a minute during the festive window last year.“Durga Puja, Bengal’s biggest celebration, provides a boost to the economy. We don’t want controversies over what to eat and what not to eat. This affects the puja economy and mars the festive mood,” said Manoj Shaw of Mudiali Club.In Salt Lake’s AK Block, the puja organisers are concerned over the lack of an official clarification on Bageshwar Dham Peethadhishwar’s comments.All 40 stalls, most of which will sell food, have been allotted. How can non-vegetarian food, which is served in Tarapith and Dakshineswar, be restricted during puja? We would welcome a clarification from the govt,” said Raja Banik, an organiser of Salt Lake’s AK Block puja.Several prominent pujas have announced there would be no restriction on non-veg food near their pandals. Dum Dum’s BJP MLA Saurav Sikdar, who is steering the Suruchi Sangha puja in New Alipore this year, said caterers such as Bijoli Grill and Apanjan would serve chicken and prawn cutlets and fries at the venue. “Mutton and hilsa will be served at a feast at the club,” he said.BJP senior Kanak Debnath, associated with the Sreebhumi Sporting Club puja, said stalls have already been allotted to caterers serving non-veg food. The organising committee, he said, has been told by the local party leadership that there is no ban on such items near the puja premises.Some committees, however, are exercising caution. Organisers of Thakurpukur SB Park Sarbojanin Puja said visitors would be barred from entering the pandal while eating. Chaltabagan Sarbojanin, too, has decided to issue a similar advisory.Kolkata Sanatani Sangha, organising its first Durga Puja at Allen Park on Park Street, said there would be no food stalls in the park. “People are free to eat whatever they want at shops outside the park,” said secretary Navin Mishra.The uncertainty has left small caterers wary of investing. A 22-year-old woman had planned to set up a stall at a Salt Lake puja with her partner. She is now having second thoughts. “The committee is charging Rs 50,000. We will suffer losses if non-veg food is not allowed,” she said.Large eatery chains, however, are unfazed. Sagar Daryani, owner of Wow Momo, Wow Chicken and Wow China, said they will set up stalls around 30-odd pujas. “For us, stalls during Durga Puja are not about profit but brand visibility. We also want to be part of consumers’ celebrations,” he said.(Inputs from Zeeshan Jawed)
