Kolkata, December 7: A massive gathering at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground witnessed what organisers described as one of the largest collective Gita recitations in the region, with an estimated 500,000 devotees chanting verses of the Bhagavad Gita simultaneously. The event, organised by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad, drew participation from spiritual leader Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, along with several monks and public figures.
Speaking to ANI at the venue, Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri said:
Today, 500,000 people recited the Gita simultaneously in the holy land of Kolkata, West Bengal. Seeing the enthusiasm and surge of faith, it felt as though the Maha Kumbh Mela had taken place here. We express our deepest gratitude to the people of West Bengal and Kolkata, and to the people of India. Sanatan unity is the greatest means of world peace. In India, we want ‘Sanatani’, not ‘Tanatani’. In India, we want ‘Bhagwa-e-Hind’, not ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’.”
The event, promoted as “Panch Lakkho Konthe Gita Path”, aimed to foster cultural and spiritual unity and marked one of the largest religious gatherings in the city ahead of the 2026 state elections.
Shastri Responds to Babri Masjid Foundation Stone Controversy
During the interaction, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri also commented on the recent controversy surrounding suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, who reportedly laid the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid structure in Beldanga.
Addressing the matter, Shastri said:
If someone has such faith, he may follow it according to his belief. There is no fault or crime in that. But no one has the right to comment on our Lord Ram. If someone chooses to speak against the construction of our temples, the arrogance behind such remarks will eventually be exposed.”
His statement comes amid escalating political tensions in Murshidabad district, where the symbolic ceremony sparked sharp reactions from various groups.
A High-Profile Spiritual and Cultural Gathering
The mass recitation, supported by extensive logistical arrangements, was monitored by Kolkata Police due to the large turnout. Organisers claimed the event was intended to highlight Bengal’s long-standing connection with the Gita and to promote a message of collective harmony across communities.
Further programmes linked to the initiative are expected in other districts of West Bengal in the coming weeks.
Also Read | Beyond the Scripture: The Bhagavad Gita as a Manual for Modern Living
