In a significant pre-election mobilization, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Bengal unit leveraged a massive religious gathering on Sunday to amplify a high-pitched Hindutva narrative, framing it as an urgent call for Hindu unity in the state. The event, a mega recital of the ‘Bhagavad Gita', saw a confluence of saffron-clad spiritual leaders, BJP politicians, and thousands of participants, setting the stage for the upcoming campaigns for the 2026 state assembly polls.
Panch Lakhhya Kanthe Gita Path: A Saffron Spectacle
Christened ‘Panch Lakhhya Kanthe Gita Path' (Gita chanting by five lakh voices), the programme was organized by the Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad at Kolkata's iconic Brigade Parade Ground. From early morning, participants waving saffron religious flags streamed into the venue, many carrying copies of the sacred text. The turnout notably surpassed a similar event held at the same ground in December 2023, just months before the Lok Sabha elections, marking it as a substantial show of strength for the organizers and the BJP.
The event featured a collective of sadhus and spiritual leaders from various Hindu institutions alongside a prominent line-up of BJP leaders. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, who is also the former president of the Bengal BJP, set a confrontational tone. He stated that Hindus in Bengal are gradually being made to feel like outsiders and emphasized that Bengal chose to remain with India because Hindus required a separate homeland. "Hindus will have to unite if they want to protect their religion and culture," Majumdar asserted. His remarks came just a day after he vowed to construct a Ram temple in Murshidabad.
Political Rhetoric and Charged Atmosphere
The political undertones of the religious gathering were unmistakable. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya took aim at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, suggesting that even chanting the Gita invites criticism in Bengal. He accused the state administration of patronizing narratives around the Babri Masjid instead. The event also saw the presence of Governor C V Ananda Bose, who cited verses from the Gita and called for the "suppression of evil," declaring that Bengal is ready to end religious arrogance.
The atmosphere grew particularly charged during speeches by firebrand religious figures. When Sadhvi Ritambhara, a prominent Vishva Hindu Parishad leader and founder of Durga Vahini, addressed the crowd, it turned restive, raising concerns of a potential stampede and forcing her to cut her speech short. Later, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri (Bageshwar Baba) faced a similar situation as the crowd surged forward during his hardline rhetoric, ignoring requests to return to their seats. He concluded abruptly with a call for a "Hindu nation."
Opposition's Absence and Accusations
The political divide was further highlighted by the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was reportedly invited. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who arrived late and sat at the back, seized the opportunity to criticize the TMC. "It is clear that Trinamool believes in the politics of appeasement only," he said, framing the government's non-participation as a snub to Hindu sentiments. The participation of some members from the politically significant Matua community added another layer to the event's socio-political reach.
This large-scale event, blending religious fervor with explicit political messaging, signals the BJP's intent to consolidate Hindu votes in Bengal by foregrounding issues of religious and cultural identity. It marks a strategic escalation in the party's campaign narrative as the battle for the 2026 assembly elections begins to take shape on the ground.
