In a unique event at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, approximately one lakh people from diverse backgrounds gathered for a mass chanting of verses from the Bhagavad Gita on Sunday. High-profile leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal attended the event organized by three Hindu organizations. In response, the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) conducted separate programs where verses from the Indian Constitution were recited to counter the saffron party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the event, stating, “It is pleasing to learn about ‘Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path’ at Parade Ground, Kolkata, organized jointly by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad, Matilal Bharat Tirtha Seba Mission Ashram, and Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrit Parishad. The initiative aimed at the recitation of the Gita by one lakh people is truly laudable.”
While speculation arose that the BJP intended to use the event to connect with Bengal’s Hindu voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party’s state president, Sukanta Majumdar, confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the gathering. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also visited the International Gita Mahotsav at Kurukshetra in Haryana earlier in the week.
Suvendu Adhikari, BJP legislator, praised the success of the event, stating, “No help from the police or the local civic body was required. The program was highly successful. Thanks to the sant samaj. This is unprecedented that one lakh people together recited verses from a holy book in such a disciplined manner.”
However, Kunal Ghish, TMC spokesperson, criticized the event, calling it the “greatest flop-show at Brigade” and suggested an alternative venue. He added, “BJP has insulted GITA.”
In response, Congress leaders organized programs to read out verses from the Indian Constitution in multiple districts, including central Kolkata. Soumya Aich Roy, Congress leader, expressed concern over the focus on topics like Ram Mandir and Gita as the election approaches, emphasizing the threat to the Constitution and democracy.
The mass chanting event at Brigade Parade Ground saw an unprecedented gathering, with participants reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita in a disciplined manner. The contrasting programs organized by political opponents highlight the diverse narratives emerging as elections draw near.
