Non-veg stall row at Durga puja prompts organisers to seek police protection | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: A controversy over non-vegetarian food stalls at a Durga puja pandal at NTR Stadium, Lower Tank Bund Road, has prompted organisers of another major puja event in Gachibowli to approach the police, seeking preventive measures against any attempts to disrupt the celebrations.The issue surfaced on Friday evening at the Durga Puja pandal at NTR Stadium after a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)-led group objected to the sale of non-vegetarian food at one of the stalls. The objection led to discussions between the group and the organisers.The group later claimed on social media that the organisers had given a written assurance that non-vegetarian food stalls would not be allowed at the venue from next year.However, Joy Kumar Dutta of Hyderabad Bangalee Samity, which organises the NTR Stadium puja, denied that any such assurance had been given. “There has been no such communication from the committee. The matter is being discussed internally,” he told TOI. He said discussions had taken place but no decision had been made. “Nothing has changed so far,” he added.A Domalguda police officer said some individuals had approached the organisers with objections to the sale of non-vegetarian food and were informed that the practice had been followed for years without controversy.“The organisers had said that this sale had been happening for years and was never objected to. There was no physical altercation but a discussion, following which the higher authorities, including Domalguda inspector and ACP reached the pandal and subdued the matter,” assistant sub-inspector V Venkateshwarlu said.Amid the controversy, Utsab Cultural Association, which is organising its annual Durga puja at the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Gachibowli, submitted a representation to the Raidurgam police on Saturday seeking preventive action.Indranil Aditya, associated with the organisers, said concerns arose after reports of the NTR Stadium incident. “Durga puja is a cultural and religious event open to everyone. Bengali cuisine includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and people from different backgrounds participate in the celebrations. We do not want any disharmony at the puja,” he said.In its representation, the association expressed concern over objections being raised against food vendors and non-vegetarian stalls, warning that such incidents could escalate into attempts to intimidate vendors or disrupt the festival. The organisers urged the police to maintain law and order and ensure that any grievances are addressed through legal channels.Police acknowledged receiving the representation on Saturday. The organisers clarified that the request was purely precautionary and not directed against any individual or group.The developments come days after a similar controversy over non-vegetarian stalls at a Bengali Durga puja event in Kompally, highlighting an ongoing debate over food practices at religious and cultural festivals.