At the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, Suvendu Adhikari addressed 11,000 devotees during a Bhagavad Gita recital on Sunday. He declared that the West Bengal government would jail anyone who insults monks, and vowed to protect cows from harm. The statement follows the vandalism of photographs and effigies of Bageshwar Baba, a revered monk whose recent visit sparked controversy in the state.
Adhikari referenced a 2023 incident where effigies were burned and said the state has already taken action against those involved. He added that the government would also imprison those who insult sadhus, saints and mahants. The CM urged citizens to remain united and warned against slogans calling for Kashmir’s independence.
He announced that a new ordinance to safeguard religious figures and cows will be drafted and presented to the assembly next week. The proposal is slated to be debated ahead of the December 29 Gita Mahotsav, which is expected to host 1 lakh participants and the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.