Why Mamata Banerjee Not Attended: Panch Lakho Konthe Gita Path

Kolkata: Kolkata witnessed the major Bhagavad Gita Recital Event. It occurred on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad Gita programme organized it at the historic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The event title was: “Panch Lakho Konthe Gita Path” meaning Gita chanting by five lakh voices. The event invited sadhus, monks, and the general public. It featured several prominent spiritual and political figures. Among the invited guests was West Bengal Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee. The event was titled the Panch Lakho Konthe Gita Path. It took place at the Brigade Parade Ground on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Many respected persons were invited. They demonstrated the spiritual heritage of West Bengal. They aimed to make social harmony by reciting Chapters 1, 9, and 18 of Bhagavad Gita. The spiritual and political leaders who attended the event were:  

Spiritual leaders:

• Swami Gyananandaji Maharaj
• Sadhvi Rithambara
• Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham
• Yoga guru Baba Ramdev
• Swami Pradiptananda Maharaj (Kartik Maharaj) of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha
• Numerous other monks and sadhus

Political leaders:

• West Bengal Governor: C.V. Ananda Bose
• All senior state BJP leaders, including state president Sukanta Majumdar, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, and MLA Agnimitra Pal.

Mamata Banerjee made several specific statements. She spoke about not attending the Panch Lakho Konthe Gita Path event. She addressed reporters at Kolkata airport on Monday, December 8, 2025. She stated that: Panch Lakho Konthe Gita Path was a political programme under disguise. She saw the main agenda of the Panch Lakho Konthe Gita Path programme as a BJP event in disguise. The Bhagavad Gita Recital was used as a facade (a misleading outward appearance). Mamata Banerjee stated that she would have attended if it were impartial. She emphasised, “I will not attend any political programme of the BJP in the name of religion.” She said that she would not attend any function organised by those who insult Bengal and its icons. They hated Bengal Iconic Figures like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. She also criticised the organisers. She accused them of their lack of adherence to the national ideals. She said they “do not follow ideals of Mahatma Gandhi”. Mamata Banerjee specifically mentioned that “those who insult Bengal and are Bangla-Birodhi, I am not with them. Instead, she said, “I respect all religions.” She emphasised her own political affiliation. She also conveyed her ideology while stating her respect for all faiths.

Read More: Record Attendance at Kolkata Bhagavad Gita Mass Recital Event 2025