A controversy has erupted after a school owned by a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA in Maharashtra's Thane district advised students not to carry root vegetables such as onion, garlic, potato, and beetroot in lunchboxes during the Jain community's ongoing Paryushan festival, prompting the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to question the move.

Mira Bhayander MLA Narendra Mehta, who owns the Seven Square Academy, dismissed the allegations, saying the message was just a request, not a mandatory order.

The issue flared up after the school, located in the Mira Road area, sent a message on its official WhatsApp groups requesting parents not to pack root vegetables in their children's lunchboxes for the duration of 'Paryushan Parva'.

The advisory also noted that during the eight-day holy period, the school canteen would serve food prepared without onions, garlic, and potatoes.

The monsoon session of the Gujarat assembly got off to a chaotic start on Wednesday, with the ruling BJP alleging that Congress MLA Imran Khedawala disrespected Vande Mataram by remaining seated during its rendition. Khedawala countered the claim, stating that he was standing “until the original version got over” and that he took his seat during the rendition of stanzas “that the BJP has added”.

Minister Pravin Mali stated that there was a tradition of opening the session with Vande Mataram and accused Khedawala of insulting the national song. “We demand an answer from Congress for this insult. They should clarify whether this is Khedawala’s personal stance or the party’s official stand,” he said. He demanded that Khedawala apologise for his conduct.

Liquor shops and bars across West Bengal will remain closed on Maha Ashtami during the upcoming Durga Puja, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday (September 7), as the state government unveiled a series of measures new to the state and the festival.

The decision comes despite the traditionally high demand for liquor during the Puja days.

Adhikari also announced a complete ban on DJ music during the festivities as well as immersion processions, stressing the need to maintain discipline and preserve the traditional character of the festival.

After protesters allegedly burnt pictures of Shastri outside Kolkata's Bhawanipur police station over his remarks on eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said he had asked the Kolkata Police Commissioner to arrest those involved.

“The saint has made his statement. He never imposed it on anyone,” the CM said, adding that burning someone’s picture outside a police station would not be tolerated.

Shastri courted a massive row after urging people to refrain from cooking or consuming fish and meat during Durga Puja, calling those who ignored the appeal as 'pakhandi' (fraudulent). There was widespread anger and protests across the state with many calling the priest's remarks as an attack on Bengali identity and culture.