Picture for representational purpose only.

AHMEDABAD: Non-vegetarian delicacies such as Mughlai paratha, chicken rolls, prawn pakoda, Kolkata-style mutton and chicken biryani, chicken chaap and others form the main attractions of the annual food festival held along with the Durga Puja by Bengal Cultural Association, which has been celebrating the event for 80 years in Ahmedabad. But now, for the first time, the Bengali food fiesta will have to go vegetarian following the diktat of the landowners, Ahmedabad Education Society , who communicated their decision at the last moment, this Monday, and robbed the BCA of the chance to seek a different venue with just a week left in hand before the puja.

"The landowners have asked us not to serve non-vegetarian food. Since we have been informed about this at the last minute, we have no choice but to abide by it," said K S Adhikari, general secretary, Bengal Cultural Association.

The association has been organizing Durga Puja celebrations for the past 80 years in the city with the current year being the 81st one. The event is being organized at the AES ground in Vastrapur for the past years, after being shifted from behind Navrangpura bus stand, and had never faced such restrictions.

When asked if an instruction has been issued to not prepare non-vegetarian food at the Bengali food festival, Narendra Kamdar, manager, AES, said, "Yes it is true. All these years we did not know they make non-vegetarian food. Ours is an organization owned by Jains. This year, when we learnt about it, we called them. They have informed us through a written intimation that they will not prepare non-vegetarian food. We had intimated the decision to the organizers on Monday this week."

BCA members indicated that the last-minute change of plan had dismayed them and had they known about this at the time of agreement for the venue, they would have thought of an alternative.

"My husband and sons look forward to this food festival especially because they get a plethora of authentic Bengali non-vegetarian dishes under one roof. Our festive mood has been lost because of the vegetarian-only food festival," said Ashoka Ghosh, a city-based professional.

