In a move blending devotion and diplomacy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in West Bengal Wednesday afternoon for a prominent religious event at Mayapur’s famed ISKCON temple. The visit caps a tightly scheduled trip focused on the 152nd holy appearance festival of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, the Gaudiya Math founder whose legacy draws thousands.
BJP insiders in the state reveal that Shah’s speech will honor the spiritual ambiance, avoiding any electioneering tones despite the timing just before assembly polls. ‘The entire day at ISKCON Mayapur revolves around devotional programs,’ explained a party state committee member. ‘The minister is there to participate, not politicize.’
Detailed schedule highlights Shah’s 2 PM touchdown at Kolkata’s international airport, followed by a swift helicopter ride to the site. Key companions include Suvendu Adhikari, the assembly’s opposition leader, and select BJP leaders. Post-landing at 2:25 PM, a golf cart ferries him to the temple grounds.
Rituals await: tribute to Prabhupada’s statue, followed by immersive pujas like Narsingh, Panchayatan, and Ashtasakhi. His main address from the central podium begins sharp at 3:20 PM after arriving onstage by 3 PM.
Anticipation builds around subtle messaging. Though politics stays sidelined officially, analysts predict keen scrutiny of Shah’s words for indirect cues on BJP’s Bengal strategy. This event spotlights the party’s deepening ties with influential spiritual centers, a tactic gaining traction in the culturally rich state.
Mayapur’s ISKCON, a global hub of Krishna consciousness, amplifies the visit’s resonance. As Shah engages in these timeless traditions, it serves as a reminder of how faith intersects with public life in India’s diverse democracy, setting the stage for upcoming political maneuvers.