Congress leader arrested for burning Dhirendra Shastri’s poster in West Bengal

A day after Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to arrest people who had burnt the posters of Godman Dhirendra Shastri, the police picked up Atanu Das, a Congress leader who is also the general secretary of the tricolour party of Kolkata district. Das was arrested at night between Thursday and Friday, police sources said.

He was booked for inciting hatred between different religious groups and hurting religious sentiments.

There was statewide criticism after Shastri also called Bageshwar Baba, who had criticised those people who consumed non-vegetarian food during the Durga Pujas, saying, “One thing I do not like about West Bengal .... Here people eat non-veg during Durga Pujas... those who eat non-vegetarian food during the Durga Pujas are Pakhandis (hypocrites) and should be boycotted.”

The Congress promptly took up the issue and staged protests throughout the State and even lodged police complaints for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the people. Shastri’s posters were also burnt in South Kolkata.

The Chief Minister, in his part, condemned the burning of his poster and directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner during a speech from the Assembly House to arrest the alleged mischief-mongers. “I direct the CP to arrest those who did this,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress came down heavily on the Government for perpetrating “Tughlaqi raj in Bengal.” State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar said, “Instead of taking action against the Baba who hurt Bengali sentiments and culture, he is arresting the protesters... The people are watching and will definitely respond.”