Kolkata, October 13 (HS): A day-long recitation of the Chandi Path was organised on Tuesday, the third day of Devi Paksha, barely 150 metres from the CPI(M) headquarters on Alimuddin Street. The event was organised by the Republican Party of India (Athawale), an NDA ally. Raju Ghosh, the party’s West Bengal organisational chief, claimed it was the first such programme in the area in nearly five decades.

Speaking exclusively to Hindusthan Samachar, Ghosh said such an event would have been unthinkable during the Left Front’s 34-year rule and the subsequent 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule. Accusing both parties of pursuing anti-Hindu politics, he claimed that Sanatan Dharma followers were now able to perform religious rituals without hindrance under the new government. He also prayed to the goddess to grant wisdom and purity of thought to the Leftists through the recitation.

The organisers described the programme, attended by Hindu religious leaders, as an expression of the cultural identity and confidence of Sanatan Dharma in Bengal.

They maintained that Bengal’s cultural heritage did not belong to any political party and that the state’s spiritual traditions did not require the approval of any political ideology.

Speakers at the event accused the Left of being anti-national and asserted that Sanatan traditions would continue to hold their ground in Bengal.

Those present included Samirishwar Brahmachari, Tantra Devanand Maharaj, Khana Ma, Satyajit Das, coordinator to the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, and BJP leader Sayantan Basu, among others.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Santosh Madhup