What happens when you question a Bengali's bond with fish? You get a cultural firestorm. A recent viral video criticized a fish market near a temple in CR Park, Delhi-a locality known as the "mini Kolkata" for Bengali refugees post-Partition and 1971. The clip showed two men claiming that selling fish near a temple violates Sanatana Dharma and hurts religious sentiments. But for Bengalis, that’s not just misinformation-it’s sacrilege.

Fish isn't just a dietary staple; it's woven into the very fabric of Bengali life. From annaprashan (a baby’s first rice ceremony) to wedding rituals and even religious offerings, maach is sacred. In Kolkata’s Kalighat temple, dedicated to the fierce Goddess Kali, non-vegetarian bhog-including goat meat and fish-is offered. That’s centuries of Shakta tradition that celebrate strength, not salad.

So when outsiders try to rewrite cultural norms, emotions run high. “How can someone just erase what we've practiced for generations?” asks CR Park resident Milita Das. Food blogger Indrajit Lahiri echoes this: “Kali is a warrior goddess. She’s not here for fruit platters. She needs strength. That’s why fish and meat are part of her offering.”

This isn’t just about food. It’s about identity, tradition, and a battle to protect a culture that refuses to be misunderstood. Bengalis are not just defending a market-they’re defending their very soul.