Separate events were orchestrated by the Congress and the CPI(M), where members and leaders recited passages from the Indian Constitution. This initiative aimed to counter the influence of the saffron party through the power of constitutional verses.
On Sunday, Kolkata’s Brigade parade ground, renowned for hosting numerous significant political rallies, became the venue for a unique event. Approximately one lakh individuals from varied backgrounds congregated to collectively recite verses from the Bhagavad Gita, creating a remarkable spectacle.
The prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal participated in an event hosted by three Hindu organizations. Meanwhile, the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), conducted individual gatherings where their leaders and members recited excerpts from the Indian Constitution as a response to the saffron party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed delight in discovering the ‘Lokkho Kanthe Gita Path’ event held at Parade Ground, Kolkata, jointly organized by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad, Matilal Bharat Tirtha Seba Mission Ashram, and Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrit Parishad. He commended the initiative aimed at having a hundred thousand people recite the Gita, stating its praiseworthy nature.
There were speculations regarding the BJP’s intention to leverage the event to connect with Bengal’s Hindu electorate ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Sukanta Majumdar, the party’s state president, had mentioned the Prime Minister’s invitation to attend the event.
“During his visit to the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the event’s success, acknowledging the participation of over a lakh individuals reciting verses from the holy book in a disciplined manner. BJP legislator Suvendu Adhikari credited the seamless execution to the sant samaj, highlighting the event’s independence from local authorities’ assistance.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghish criticized the BJP’s choice of venue, referring to the Brigade rally as a ‘flop-show’ and suggesting an alternative location like Shraddhananda park. Meanwhile, Congress leaders highlighted their own initiatives, mentioning programs across various districts where the Constitution was read aloud. Soumya Aich Roy, a Congress leader, expressed concern over what they saw as a diversion from pressing national issues like unemployment, viewing the focus on topics like Ram Mandir and Gita as polarization tactics as elections approached. Roy emphasized the perceived threat to our democracy and the Constitution amidst these developments.”
Users Today : 5
Users Yesterday : 8