Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Dec 7: A sea of saffron turned Kolkata’s historic Brigade Parade Ground into a grand spiritual venue on Sunday as lakhs of devotees, including sadhus and sadhvis from West Bengal and neighbouring states, joined a mega collective recital of the Bhagavad Gita.
Chanting shlokas in unison, the devotees participated in the programme titled ‘Panch Lakkho Konthe Gita Path’ (Gita chanting by five lakh voices), organised by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad — a collective of monks and spiritual organisations.
Senior BJP leaders such as former state president Sukanta Majumdar, ex-MP Locket Chatterjee and MLA Agnimitra Paul shared the stage with several prominent spiritual figures including Swami Pradiptananda Maharaj (Kartik Maharaj) and Dhirendra Shastri. Spiritual guidance for the event is being led by Swami Gyananandaji Maharaj of Geeta Manishi Mahamandal.
“The Gita is not for Hindus alone; it belongs to all 140 crore Indians,” said Agnimitra Paul, while highlighting its universal teachings.
“In a climate of division, spiritual practice can restore calm and direction,” remarked Kartik Maharaj, who noted an overwhelming response from devotees across Bengal.
Organisers claim this is the largest Gita chanting event ever attempted in the state, and possibly in the country — a massive attempt to showcase Bengal’s rich spiritual heritage while promoting social harmony.
To manage the projected crowd of five lakh participants, elaborate arrangements have been made for security, traffic control and medical support. Three grand stages have been set up and central Kolkata has witnessed intensified security arrangements.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and several other spiritual leaders have also been invited to grace the occasion.
The event comes just a day after a politically sensitive mosque foundation-laying in Murshidabad by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, signalling how faith and politics are increasingly shaping public discourse in West Bengal ahead of the assembly elections next year.
Interestingly, the gathering also marks the second anniversary of a similar ‘one lakh voices’ Gita recital held at Brigade in December 2023 before the Lok Sabha polls — a programme that had sparked a sharp political exchange, with the ruling Trinamool Congress accusing BJP of using religion to influence voters.
As chants of “Jai Shri Krishna” echoed across the sprawling grounds, the city witnessed a rare moment of spiritual unity — even as the charged political backdrop remains hard to ignore.