'Don't Tell Hindus How To Worship': Abhijit Iyer Mitra Shuts Down Vegetarian Call For Durga Puja

Days ago, Hindu preacher Baba Bageshwar triggered a fierce debate in West Bengal after criticising Bengalis who eat non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, which coincides with Navratri across much of India. The controversy exposed a deeper fault line: can one religious practice be imposed on diverse regional traditions? On this episode of Why Should You Care, Abhijeet Iyer-Mitra challenges attempts to present a single religious agenda as the only authentic Sanatan practice while dismissing Bengal’s distinct cultural and devotional traditions. #BabaBageshwar #DurgaPuja #Navratri #WestBengal #SanatanDharma #Hinduism #BengalCulture #ReligiousDiversity #IndianTraditions #WhyShouldYouCare #AbhijeetIyerMitra #CulturalDebate #BengaliTraditions #DurgaPujaControversy 00:00 Introduction: Can Hindus Eat Meat During Puja? 03:06 Bengal’s Distinct Hindu Traditions 04:23 Hinduism and Diverse Dietary Practices 05:37 Why Hinduism Rejects Religious Conformity 06:47 Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic Food 08:24 Shakta Worship and Animal Sacrifice 11:28 The Many Ways of Worshipping Shiva 13:35 The Baba Bageshwar Controversy 16:22 Should Religion Control What People Eat? 18:09 The Debate Over Animal Sacrifice 21:32 The Dangers of Religious Homogenisation 23:34 Why Hindu Traditions Must Remain Diverse 24:24 Conclusion: Diversity Is Hinduism’s Strength AXIS is where the world is explained through India’s lens. For decades, global narratives have been shaped by Western media... told through Washington, London or Beijing. But as India rises as a major economic, military and diplomatic power, why should others define the world for us? Why shouldn’t India shape its own voice, own perspective, and own narrative? That’s where AXIS comes in. We decode global power shifts, wars and conflicts, the India-China rivalry, Pakistan, West Asia, oil shocks, trade battles and neighbourhood politics - with one key question: What does this mean for India and for you? As India rises, so should its share of voice! Subscribe To AXIS — The World Through INDIA'S LENS. #India #Geopolitics #China #Pakistan #Bangladesh #WorldNews #Defence #IndianArmy #Indian Navy #IAF #TimesAXIS #TOI