‘Eat this, not that’? Kolkata’s ‘Amish Utsav’ serves fish, meat and eggs, invokes Ramakrishna, Vivekananda

Kolkata: A programme titled ‘Bangalir Amish Utsav’ is being organised in Kolkata on Sunday to highlight Bengali food traditions and raise concerns over attempts to divide or stigmatise people over their dietary choices in the name of religion.

The organisers said the event seeks to showcase Bengali food habits, culture and culinary heritage, with a particular focus on the community’s longstanding tradition of consuming non-vegetarian food.

As part of the programme, the organisers have cited teachings attributed to Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa to argue that religious devotion should be judged by a person’s character and conduct rather than their food habits.

They said qualities such as freedom from hatred, jealousy and hostility are central to genuine religious practice.

The organisers also referred to a widely circulated statement attributed to Swami Vivekananda on food habits, saying the event’s concept draws on the teachings and philosophy of both Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Vivekananda.

According to the organisers, the initiative aims to oppose efforts to impose dietary choices in the name of religion or demean people based on what they eat.

They said Bengali cuisine has historically included a wide range of non-vegetarian dishes and that the festival is intended to celebrate this aspect of the region’s cultural and culinary identity.

The event brings together issues of religion, food choices and cultural identity and is expected to draw attention in Kolkata’s social and political circles.