Kolkata, 7 December (H.S.): Two years after the last event, a mass Gita recitation was organized at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground. This time, the target wasn't one lakh but five lakh voices. On Sunday, the city's Brigade Parade Ground witnessed yet another social transformation. A host of sadhus and saints gathered here. Top leaders of Bengal BJP were also present. The chief priest of Bageshwar Dham was also in attendance. His name is Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, but he is popularly known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar.

From the stage at the Brigade Ground on Sunday, he appealed in favor of a Hindu nation. He gave a message of uniting Bengal. He also subtly targeted Humayun Kabir, the suspended Trinamool MLA from Bharatpur. On this day, Dhirendra Krishna said, Only when a state is united does a nation form. Therefore, my message to the Hindus of Bengal is that only when you are united will India become a Hindu nation.

Before the Lok Sabha elections, a Gita recitation with one lakh voices was organized at the Brigade Ground in December 2023. Two years later, with the Bengal assembly elections on the horizon, a Gita recitation with five lakh voices was organized again in the same atmosphere. The responsibility for the event was with the same 'Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad'. However, according to one section, the BJP is supporting it behind the scenes. From the stage on Sunday, Bageshwar Dham Sarkar also indirectly attacked Humayun Kabir.

24 hours before this Gita recitation programme, another event was organized about 200 kilometers away from the Brigade Ground. A section of people showed no less frenzy and enthusiasm for this event. On Saturday, at the same time, in an open space near National Highway 12 in Beldanga, Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone of the 'Babri Masjid of Bengal'. 24 hours later, the Gita recitation was held in the city. Analysts are seeing political instigation behind both incidents.

On this day, targeting Humayun, Bageshwar Dham Sarkar said, Should anything be built in this country in the name of those who once attacked India? We must remember that this is not Babur's country, but Raghuvir's (Lord Ram's) country.

Both incidents are bringing a new turn to Bengal politics. On one hand, there is a controversy surrounding the foundation stone of the Babri Masjid, while on the other hand, this massive recitation of the Gita is also being viewed through a political lens. Keeping the upcoming assembly elections in mind, these religious events could play a significant role in Bengal politics.

Experts believe that both sides are trying to strengthen their vote banks by raising religious issues, which could lead to communal polarization in the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey