West Bengal Congress leader summoned over burning of Bageshwar Baba photo

West Bengal Congress general secretary Ashutosh Chatterjee on Sunday said he was summoned by the police over the alleged burning of a photograph of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, during a protest over the preacher's comments regarding Durga Puja.

In a statement, Chatterjee said a notice from the Bhawanipur police station was served on him around 10 am, directing him to appear before the investigating officer in the case at 3 pm.

He said state Congress president Subhankar Sarkar had been informed about the development.

The case relates to a September 8 demonstration outside the Bhawanipur police station in south Kolkata over remarks made by Shastri about Bengalis, Bengal's culture and food practices during Durga Puja.

During the protest, a photograph of Shastri was allegedly trampled upon, struck with footwear and burnt, police said.

Police subsequently arrested South Kolkata district Congress general secretary Atanu Das. Chatterjee and South Kolkata district Congress president Pradip Prasad have been named as accused in the case.

The development came after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on September 10 directed the police to arrest those involved in burning Shastri's photograph, asserting that such activities would not be tolerated.

Chatterjee said the Congress would not "bow its head" before anyone who allegedly demeaned Bengalis or Bengal's traditions.

He also questioned why no action had been taken against Shastri over the remarks that triggered the controversy.

At a programme in Howrah's Liluah on September 5, Shastri appealed to Bengalis to give up non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and described people who eat meat on religious occasions as "hypocrites".

The Congress had earlier lodged a complaint at the Bhawanipur police station, seeking action against Shastri.