With the Assembly elections drawing closer, Bengal’s political atmosphere has once again turned sharply religious. On Sunday, the Sanatan Sanskriti Sangsad hosted a massive event titled “5 Lokhhe Konthe Gita Path (Gita recitation by 5 lakh people)” at the Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, drawing participants from across multiple states and neighbouring countries.
BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh made a notable appearance at the event, marking his return to a major programme after a long absence. Addressing the gathering, he accused the state of failing to unite Hindu society.
“Bengal is divided due to lack of organisation in the Hindu community,” he alleged. “Lakhs still live like slaves. Our brothers are oppressed in Bangladesh— temples destroyed, mothers and sisters dishonoured. Saints have taken charge of Hindu awakening so Bengal does not walk that path.”
Ghosh asserted that the mass recitation of the Gita would strengthen this sense of unity. He also issued a direct challenge to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
In response to TMC’s accusation that the Bharatiya Janata Party was “doing politics under the cover of religious programmes,” Ghosh said, “If they want to do it, let them. Who will stop us? We built the Ram Mandir, we built the Krishna Mandir. We will do this too.”
The event, which began at 9 am and continued until 2 pm, included Vedpath followed by the large-scale Gita Path. Organisers claimed participation from devotees across Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, as well as Bangladesh and Nepal. Representatives from various communities, including the Matua community, were also invited.
Bharat Sevashram Sangh monk Kartik Maharaj stated that the responsibility for security rests with the state government. An invitation was also sent to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but her lack of response has already become a point of criticism for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The event holds special significance as a similar programme was conducted ahead of the last Lok Sabha elections, and this year’s version is being viewed as politically symbolic with the Assembly polls just months away.
Also read: TMC delegation meets EC, discusses SIR concerns in West Bengal
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