Kolkata, Oct 13 A group of people on Tuesday recited verses from the ‘Chandi Path’, a Hindu religious text, near the CPI(M)’s West Bengal state committee headquarters on Alimuddin Street here ahead of Durga Puja.
It is not clear who organised the programme, but one of the participants claimed it was in response to the alleged insult that the Left party had committed against Sanatan Dharma.
Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty mocked the programme, held near Muzaffar Ahmad Bhavan, claiming that workers of the party could teach the participants how to properly recite the verses.
‘Chandi Path’, also known as Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmya, describes the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Reciting the verses is part of the Navratri celebrations.
Several women took part in the programme, chanting verses through microphones.
A participant, Gauranga Das, who described himself as an expert, said the programme was intended to assert the group’s right to practise its religion near the office of a party whose ideology has traditionally been associated with atheism.
“Leftists have always insulted Sanatan Dharma. We therefore decided to practise our religion right outside their party office. No one can stop us now,” Das said.
The programme drew a sarcastic response from Chakraborty, who questioned the manner in which the religious verses had been recited.
“Such activities will serve no purpose. We have many workers who can teach them how to recite the Chandi Path properly,” he said.
(PTI News)
