Kolkata: NDA ally Republican Party of India (Athawale) organised a Chandi Path event on Tuesday on Alimuddin Street, barely 150 metres from the CPM headquarters, bringing together prominent religious figures and public personalities.
CPM spokesperson Shatarup Ghosh, in a post, said the event had failed to attract people due to an error in the Bengali spelling of ‘Chandi’.
Explaining the choice of venue, participant Gauranga Das said, “Leftists have always insulted ‘sanatan dharma’. BJP neta Sayantan Basu, who attended the event, said, “Many traditional practices, including Chandi Path, were once discouraged in this area. “It is a sign of uncivil behaviour and political weakness,” Chakraborty said.
We decided to practise our faith right outside their party office to make them understand the rituals and strength of ‘sanatan dharma’. But times have changed, and people are free to observe their rituals. we urge devotees to ensure non-vegetarian items are kept outside Puja pandals While BJP is not against non-vegetarian food. Senior CPM neta Sujan Chakraborty mocked the event as a publicity stunt. “They could not find a genuine audience, so they came outside our office to create nuisance. They should first learn how to properly recite the verses. If needed, our party workers can teach them. Standing on the street and behaving like this is disgraceful.
Reacting to this, one of the organisers of the event, Raju Das, said, “This is the problem with people like Shatarup Ghosh. Instead of focusing on the purpose of the event, they are trying to find errors in the poster. The purpose of the programme was to purify the minds of the people, including those at Alimuddin Street.”