Thousands of sadhus and sannyasis marched through Kolkata in the “Virat Sant Swabhimaan Yatra” rally. The protest was organised in response to remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which were perceived as derogatory towards Hindu religious leaders and institutions. The Bangiya Sanyasi Samaj, with support from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), coordinated the rally, drawing participants from ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangh, among others.
The rally commenced at Bagbazar Nivedita Park and concluded at Swami Vivekananda’s ancestral home on Simla Street. Participants included many senior saints and monks, such as Mahamandaleshwar Paramatmananda of Brahmamoyee Kalibari, Nirgunananda Brahmachari of Rishra Prem Mandir, and Jagadartihar Prabhu of ISKCON. The event featured a procession of barefoot sadhus, accompanied by women blowing conch shells and groups performing kirtans, creating a powerful visual of unity and resolve.
West Bengal: : Massive 'Virat Sant Swabhimaan Yatra' rally by Sadhus & Sannyasis in Kolkata against TMC govt.
Kartik Maharaj also participated in the protest rally pic.twitter.com/a6RjexxCYL
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) May 24, 2024
The catalyst for this large-scale protest was a speech delivered by CM Mamata Banerjee at an Arambagh rally. In it, she accused certain monks of being influenced by Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders. She named Kartik Maharaj (Swami Pradiptananda) of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, alleging his political involvement favouring the BJP. Kartik Maharaj issued a defamation notice to Banerjee in response, escalating the conflict.
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Further exacerbating the situation, Banerjee’s comments also implicated monks from Ramakrishna Mission and ISKCON, leading to widespread resentment among the Hindu community. Tensions heightened when individuals, purportedly linked to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), attacked a Ramakrishna Mission building in Siliguri, intensifying the resolve of the sadhus and their supporters to protest.
The “Virat Sant Swabhimaan Yatra” attracted many saffron-clad sadhus, devotees, and activists. The procession traversed notable streets of Kolkata, including Girish Avenue, Bagbazar Street, and Shyambazar Five Point, before reaching its destination. The rally was marked by colourful displays, with participants chanting kirtans and women blowing conch shells, symbolising their spiritual and cultural solidarity.
Mamata Banerjee has put her hand in the hornets' nest by targeting revered Hindu organisations like the ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangh. Thousands of saffron clad Sadhus and devotees of respective orders walked down the streets of Kolkata to protest her… pic.twitter.com/WqOs31S9Sk
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 24, 2024
Leading saints condemned the TMC Government’s perceived policies of Muslim appeasement and expressed concerns about the safety of Bengali Hindus amid alleged threats from Jihadi elements. Rally participants pledged to confront these threats and resist any political forces they believe undermine the interests of the Hindu majority in Bengal.
The rally highlights growing Hindu discontent with Mamata Banerjee’s administration and is expected to influence the Hindu vote bank. This mass mobilisation challenges the TMC’s alleged alignment with minority appeasement politics.
The Kolkata rally is part of a broader series of protests across Southern Bengal, including recent marches in Kakdwip. These events indicate a widespread backlash against the TMC government’s stance on Hindu religious leaders and organisations.
The “Virat Sant Swabhimaan Yatra” rally was a significant event, reflecting deep-seated discontent among Hindu religious communities in West Bengal.
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