Congress joins the 'Paath' campaign, announces Constitution reading in Kolkata

Following recent politically charged religious events in West Bengal—a massive Bhagavad Gita recitation and a subsequent vow by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir to hold a Quran recital—the Congress party has announced its entry into the fray by holding a public Constitution-reading event. Portraying its secular face amidst the growing communal narrative, the Grand Old Party plans to hold the event in Dharmatala, the heart of Kolkata, on December 20.

The state’s political atmosphere has been tense since December 7, when a large collective of monks held a major Gita recitation event in Kolkata, which saw attendance from BJP leaders. This came just a day after controversial Trinamool Congress MLA, Humayun Kabir, laid the foundation for a replica of the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district. Now, the Congress aims to shift the focus back to democratic values and citizens' rights.

Subhankar Sarkar, president of the Bengal unit of the Congress, announced the initiative on Thursday, titled 'Sahasra Kontey Sangbidhan Path' (reading the Constitution in a thousand voices). The event is designed to increase public awareness of fundamental constitutional rights and democratic values. Sarkar confirmed that on December 20, around 1 PM, 100 people representing all communities, religions, castes, and creeds will participate in the public reading on Rani Rashmoni Road, calling it a symbolic assertion of democratic strength.