13 Defining Religion & Faith Stories for Policy Leaders

India's print media landscape offers unparalleled insight into the intersection of faith, policy, and governance. according to Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications, today's religious news spans from Durga Puja cultural debates in Bengal to landmark legal reforms in Uttarakhand. Here are the 13 defining stories.

1. BJP West Bengal Rift Over Durga Puja Food

A front-page report in Asian Age says that within four months of coming to power in West Bengal, the BJP has been caught in a fierce internal clash over Bengali traditions and the Durga Puja festival. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya publicly rejected self-styled godman Bageshwar Baba's diktat to ban non-vegetarian food during the celebration, affirming that Bengalis will continue their eating habits. Meanwhile, a separate controversy erupted when a government advertisement depicting Goddess Durga with eleven hands instead of ten was published, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties before Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari apologised for the error. A fierce internal BJP clash has erupted over Bengali traditions during Durga Puja. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya publicly rejected self-styled godman Bageshwar Baba's diktat to ban non-vegetarian food, affirming Bengali dietary heritage. The rift highlights the tension between cultural authenticity and religious hardliners within the party.

2. West Bengal Durga Puja Rules

A front-page report in Indian Express says West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the Bharatiya Janata Party government announced Durga Puja rules for Bengal on Monday, including a liquor ban on Maha Ashtami, no disco jockey music during Puja and immersion processions, and the scrapping of the annual Puja Carnival. Adhikari said Puja committees may receive up to rupees one lakh in assistance with conditions, free electricity will be provided, road and national highway blockages will not be allowed, and the state will hold cultural events and drone and fireworks displays, including at Eden Gardens and Digha. The report also notes a separate controversy after Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Krishna Shastri appealed to people not to eat fish or meat during Durga Puja, prompting West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party president Samik Bhattacharya to say Bengalis will eat what they always have. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced comprehensive Durga Puja rules including a liquor ban on Maha Ashtami, no DJ music during Puja, and scrapping the annual Puja Carnival. The government also pledged up to Rs 1 lakh in assistance to puja committees and free electricity.

3. Suvendu Announces Lakh Grant for Puja Committees

A front-page report in Times of India says Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced a Rs 1 lakh grant for puja committees and requested free electricity, while urging big-budget organisers not to apply. The announcement came amid calls from seer Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri and the VHP to keep non-vegetarian food away from puja venues during Navratri, which BJP leaders opposed as dictating food habits. Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced a Rs 1 lakh grant for puja committees while urging big-budget organisers not to apply. The announcement came amid calls from seer Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri and the VHP to keep non-vegetarian food away from puja venues.

4. BJP chief rejects vegetarian call during Puja

A front-page report in Morning Standard says Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced liquor shops and bars will remain closed on Ashtami and DJs will be banned across the state during Durga Puja. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya rejected calls for Bengalis to give up non-vegetarian food during the festival, stating that Bengali food and cultural habits cannot be changed at the direction of a religious figure from outside Bengal. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya rejected calls for Bengalis to give up non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, stating that Bengali food and cultural habits cannot be changed at the direction of a religious figure from outside Bengal.

5. Suvendu Adhikari bans Ashtami liquor sale

A front-page report in New Indian Express says Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced liquor shops and bars will close on Ashtami during Durga Puja, and DJs are banned statewide. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya rejected calls for vegetarianism sparked by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, citing Bengali dietary traditions. Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced liquor shops and bars will close on Ashtami during Durga Puja, and DJs are banned statewide. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya rejected calls for vegetarianism sparked by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.

6. Bageshwar Baba targets DONVES, food during Puja

A front-page report in Deccan Chronicle says state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya rejected self-styled godman Bageshwar Baba's call to ban non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja in Kolkata on September 7. Bhattacharya defended Bengali traditions of eating mutton and fish during the festival and criticised the monk's remarks against non-vegetarians. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari hosted the godman for a dinner and promised government support for his centre. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya rejected self-styled godman Bageshwar Baba's call to ban non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja in Kolkata. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari hosted the godman for dinner and promised government support for his centre.

7. BJP Split Over Durga Puja Food Rules

A front-page report in Asian Age says that within four months of coming to power in West Bengal for the first time, the BJP has been caught in a fierce internal clash of culture between two factions on the Bengali traditions, which played a vital agenda of the party's Assembly election manifesto, especially about their favourite festival, Durga Puja. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya trashed self-styled godman Bageshwar Baba alias Dhirendra Shastri's diktat for banning non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja this year and disapproved of the monk's remark of pakhandi, while moderates protect the Bengali vibe against hardliners pushing vegetarian food menus. Within four months of coming to power, the BJP faces a fierce internal clash over Bengali traditions. State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya trashed self-styled godman Bageshwar Baba's diktat for banning non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.

8. Eiffel Tower Bars Women During BAPS Visit

A front-page report in Hindustan Times says the Eiffel Tower operator SETE acknowledged that a Hindu delegation had requested the visit be organised so as to limit interactions with women. Staff condemned professional instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and made invisible because of their sex during the visit by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha spiritual movement on the same day as a cultural boat procession on the Seine. The Eiffel Tower operator SETE acknowledged that a Hindu delegation requested the visit limit interactions with women. Staff condemned professional instructions that led to female employees being sidelined during the BAPS visit.

9. Eiffel Tower staff protest gender discrimination

A front-page report in Indian Express says the Eiffel Tower was closed on Monday after employees protested over being asked to step aside for a Hindu religious delegation visiting the landmark. Union representatives stated that women were asked to leave their workstations during a private visit by about one hundred people linked to BAPS, a group inaugurating a temple in the Paris suburbs. Paris city authorities have launched an investigation into the incident that angered staff. The Eiffel Tower was closed after employees protested being asked to step aside for a Hindu religious delegation. Union representatives stated women were asked to leave workstations during a private visit by about 100 people linked to BAPS.

10. Six Muslim Reformists Push For Gender Equality

A front-page report in Indian Express says six progressive Muslim activists and scholars issued an open letter urging the dismantling of patriarchal norms within the Indian Muslim community. Addressed following a major gathering of Generation Z women in Pune, the writers call on conservative bodies to uphold constitutional guarantees of equality over selective religious freedoms. The signatories demand comprehensive legal reforms including bans on polygamy, child marriage, and female genital mutilation, alongside equal inheritance and marital rights for Muslim women. Six progressive Muslim activists issued an open letter urging dismantling patriarchal norms. The signatories demand comprehensive legal reforms including bans on polygamy, child marriage, and female genital mutilation.

11. Uttarakhand Waqf Board UCC Nikahnah

A front-page report in Millennium Post says the Uttarakhand Waqf Board has drafted a new nikahnah aligned with the Uniform Civil Code provisions, under which only registered qazis or maulanas will be authorised to solemnise marriages. Chairman Shadab Shams stated the draft is expected to curb instances of religious conversion solely for the purpose of marriage, and if one partner belongs to a different faith, the marriage could be solemnised under the Special Marriage Act without pressuring the individual to convert. The Uttarakhand Waqf Board drafted a new nikahnah aligned with the Uniform Civil Code, under which only registered qazis or maulanas will be authorised to solemnise marriages.

12. Uttarakhand Waqf Board Drafts New Nikahnama

A front-page report in The Hans India says the Uttarakhand Waqf Board has drafted a new nikahnama aligned with the Uniform Civil Code, under which only registered qazis or maulanas will be authorised to solemnise marriages. Chairman Shadab Shams said the draft aims to curb religious conversion solely for marriage and will be discussed at a meeting on September nine. The state Minority Welfare Minister Khajan Das and three members of the Uniform Civil Code drafting committee will attend the meeting. The Uttarakhand Waqf Board drafted a new nikahnama aligned with the Uniform Civil Code. Chairman Shadab Shams said the draft aims to curb religious conversion solely for marriage.

13. West Bengal to adopt UCC

A front-page report in Economic Times says that on 18 July 2026, Kolkata-based West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the UCC commission will hold public hearings in five segments. The commission, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, will study the draft Uniform Civil Code. If implemented, West Bengal would become the fourth Indian state to adopt a Uniform Civil Code, following Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the UCC commission will hold public hearings in five segments. If implemented, West Bengal would become the fourth Indian state to adopt a Uniform Civil Code.

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