Bageshwar Dham seer Dhirendra Krishna Shastri used his ongoing Hanumant Katha programme in West Bengal to make remarks on Hindutva, religious conversion, infiltration and nationalism, saying that those who had earlier claimed he would not be allowed to enter the state were now seeing him conduct a religious event there.

Speaking at the programme in Howrah, Shastri said, “Ab Babar wale nahi, Raghuvar wale baithe hain”, referring to the political change he said had taken place in the state. The remarks came during the first edition of his Hanumant Katha in West Bengal, being held from September 4 to 6 at Liluah Workshop Ground. 

Shastri Speaks on Bengal Visit

Shastri said his presence in West Bengal was significant because, according to him, there had previously been claims that he would not be allowed to enter the state.

He pointed to the ongoing religious programme as evidence that he was now able to hold the event in Bengal, where large numbers of devotees have been attending the three-day gathering.

The event has attracted political attention as well as religious interest, particularly after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the programme and met Shastri on its opening day.

Calls for Larger Gita Recitation

During his address, Shastri also spoke about collective recitation of the Bhagavad Gita in West Bengal.

He referred to an earlier event in which around five lakh people participated in Gita recitation and said the number should eventually be increased to 11 lakh participants.

He called for greater visibility of Sanatan cultural traditions and the chanting of Lord Ram’s name in Bengal.

Remarks on Border Areas

Shastri said he wanted to conduct Hanumant Katha programmes in areas close to West Bengal’s international borders.

While discussing these regions, he raised the issues of alleged religious conversions and infiltration and called for national security interests to be given priority.

He also said that social change should not be viewed only through the lens of a change in political power, but should include what he described as changes in people's ideological and religious outlook.

These were Shastri's views expressed during the religious programme and should not be treated as official findings about conversion or illegal immigration.

Says His Fight Is Not Against Any Religion

Addressing the controversy surrounding his statements, Shastri said his criticism was not directed against any particular religion.

He said his concern was with people who, according to him, live in India but express views he considers hostile to the country.

He appealed to Hindus in Bengal to remain aware and organised and spoke about protecting the cultural significance associated with Lord Ram and Goddess Kali.

Appeals for Action on Conversion

Shastri also appealed to the state government to pay attention to cases of religious conversion.

He said people who wished to return to their original cultural or religious traditions should have an easier path to what he described as “ghar wapsi”.

The remarks form part of Shastri's broader public messaging around Hindutva and cultural identity. The legal and factual status of any individual conversion cases was not established by the statements made at the event.

Suvendu Adhikari Attends Programme

The presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the event added a political dimension to the religious gathering.

According to reports, Adhikari met Shastri on the stage during the programme. The chief minister spoke about the government's role in protecting West Bengal and Indian culture during the interaction.

The event is being held in Liluah, Howrah, from September 4 to September 6, with Shastri delivering the Hanumant Katha and conducting associated religious programmes. 

Religious Event Draws Political Attention

Shastri's first Hanumant Katha in West Bengal has consequently become more than a religious gathering, with his comments on culture, nationalism, conversion and border security attracting political attention.

His remarks about being previously prevented from entering Bengal also reflect the political sensitivity surrounding his visit.

With the programme continuing through September 6, further statements from the religious leader and political responses to them are likely to remain a focus of discussion in West Bengal.

Odisha is set to witness one of India's largest religious gatherings as the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra begins on Thursday, with nearly one million devotees expected to visit Puri over the next nine days. As preparations enter the final stage, the three grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are receiving their finishing touches ahead of the ceremonial procession, which will continue until July 24.

The massive influx of pilgrims has triggered an unprecedented demand for accommodation across Puri. Hotels and lodges have been fully booked for months, with local authorities confirming that reservations began as early as February 2026.

Hotel Tariffs Witness Sharp Spike

Accommodation rates have surged dramatically as the festival approaches. Properties located near the Jagannath Temple and along the Rath Yatra route are commanding premium prices due to their strategic location.

Hotel rooms that usually cost between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000 per night are reportedly being offered for as much as ₹50,000 for a three-day stay, particularly those providing direct views of the procession. According to local estimates, Puri has nearly 1,200 hotels, most of which are operating at full capacity during the festival.

Officials attribute the price rise to exceptionally high demand from pilgrims arriving from across India and abroad.

Final Preparations Underway

Artisans and temple authorities are completing the final decorative work on the three iconic wooden chariots, which are rebuilt every year following centuries-old traditions. Security arrangements, crowd management systems and medical facilities have also been strengthened to handle the expected surge of visitors during the annual festival.

The Rath Yatra remains one of Hinduism's most significant religious events, symbolising Lord Jagannath's annual journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.

A Unique Rath Yatra in Howrah

While Puri prepares for its grand celebration, a remarkable tradition in Howrah, West Bengal, continues to draw attention for its message of communal harmony.

Unlike conventional Rath Yatras where devotees pull elaborately decorated chariots, Dr Sheikh Maqbool Islam, a professor in the Bengali Department of St. Paul's Cathedral Mission College, Kolkata, carries the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan in his lap during a 400-metre procession.

The event sees participation from members of Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities, reflecting the inclusive spirit associated with Lord Jagannath.

Faith Beyond Religious Boundaries

Dr Islam has been researching Lord Jagannath since 1992 and has authored more than 14 books on the deity. He installed Lord Jagannath's idol in his residence in 1996 and has organised this distinctive procession every year since 2009.

Explaining the philosophy behind the tradition, Dr Islam cites a verse from the Kathopanishad, which describes the human body as the chariot and the soul as its master.

According to him, when the human body itself serves as the divine chariot, there is no need to construct a separate one.

A strict vegetarian, Dr Islam also prepares 35 varieties of sattvic offerings for Lord Jagannath following the traditional rituals observed at the Puri temple.

Devotion Takes Centre Stage

As lakhs of devotees converge on Odisha and celebrations begin across different parts of the country, this year's Rath Yatra once again highlights both the grandeur of one of India's oldest religious traditions and the enduring message of faith, unity and cultural harmony associated with Lord Jagannath.

Tempers ran high in Howrah  when Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition, clashed with TMC supporters during his roadshow through the Bali constituency. What started as a normal campaign rally quickly turned chaotic. As Adhikari’s convoy rolled in, TMC workers started chanting “Jai Bangla” and other slogans, which clearly set him off.

Adhikari didn’t hold back. He stormed over to confront the crowd directly, shouting “chor, chor” (thief, thief) right at the TMC group. It got tense fast, and security and local police had to step in to keep things from spiraling into a physical fight.

This isn’t a one-off. The Howrah incident is just the latest flashpoint in a series of face-offs between BJP and TMC, as West Bengal’s elections inch closer to their final stages. TMC supporters say the BJP is stirring up trouble among locals, while BJP leaders insist their events are being deliberately disrupted by “TMC goons.”

Adhikari has been in the thick of things lately, contesting big seats like Bhabanipur and trying to hold onto his stronghold in Nandigram. He’s become a regular target for TMC protests, and this showdown in Howrah just adds to the tense, almost combative political atmosphere on the ground in West Bengal right now.Suvendu Adhikari’s temper flared up Wednesday evening during a roadshow in Howrah’s Bali constituency, after TMC supporters allegedly disrupted his convoy.

It all started out like a regular political event — nothing too dramatic. But things got heated fast. As Adhikari’s convoy rolled through the area, TMC workers reportedly yelled out “Jai Bangla” and other slogans. That’s when Adhikari snapped. He didn’t just fire back verbally, he marched right up and shouted “chor, chor” (“thief, thief”) at the crowd. People could see he was fuming. Security and police had to step in so things didn’t get physical.

This whole scene is just another flashpoint between BJP and TMC, as the West Bengal elections near their final stages. TMC folks said the BJP was riling up the locals, while BJP leaders claimed their events kept getting blocked by “TMC goons.”

Adhikari’s no stranger to these run-ins. He’s campaigning hard, contesting in high-profile seats like Bhabanipur and holding onto Nandigram, and TMC protests seem to follow him everywhere. This Howrah face-off just adds to the tense, almost “war-like” atmosphere that’s taken over West Bengal politics lately.

WB Phase 2: Over 61% turnout till 1 pm as TMC faces ‘litmus test’ in bastions

Polling is currently underway for 142 seats across South Bengal and Kolkata, with the Trinamool Congress defending its traditional strongholds against a surging BJP.

Kolkata: Long queues were visible outside polling booths across South Bengal on Wednesday morning as West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 61.11 per cent till 1 pm in the second phase of the 2026 Assembly Elections.

According to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the polling process has remained largely brisk despite the rising afternoon heat. Hooghly district is currently leading the charts with a 64.57 per cent turnout, while Howrah followed closely at 60.68 per cent. In the state capital, Kolkata North saw 60.18 per cent polling, while Kolkata South registered a slightly lower 57.73 per cent turnout by early afternoon.

High stakes in South Bengal

This phase is being widely described by political analysts as the "litmus test" for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Of the 142 seats up for grabs today, the Mamata Banerjee-led party had secured a staggering 123 seats during the 2021 assembly polls.

The belt currently voting includes the party’s most reliable fortresses in South Bengal and the urban heart of Kolkata. For the TMC, maintaining its dominance here is essential for securing a fourth consecutive term. Conversely, the BJP is putting up a spirited challenge, hoping to capitalize on anti-incumbency and make significant inroads into the urban "bhadralok" vote and the influential Matua community pockets in Nadia.

Heavy polling in districts

Ground reports suggest a steady flow of voters since 7 am. In Nadia, which recorded 61.41 per cent polling till 1 pm, rural voters turned out in large numbers to beat the midday sun.

The ECI has deployed a massive security apparatus to ensure a peaceful process. Over 41,001 polling stations have been set up for this phase, which caters to an electorate of 3.21 crore. Notably, more than 8,000 booths are being managed entirely by women, a move aimed at encouraging female participation in what has historically been a high-turnout state.

Battle for the ‘Big Five’

While the numbers are impressive across the board, the spotlight remains fixed on the "Big Five" urban contests. Bhabanipur, the Chief Minister’s own backyard, remains the most watched seat. However, Tollyganj—the hub of the Bengali film industry—has also emerged as a high-profile battleground with several celebrity candidates in the fray.

The BJP’s strategy in this phase has focused heavily on highlighting issues of urban infrastructure and "syndicate culture," while the TMC has doubled down on its welfare schemes, particularly targeting women voters who have been a cornerstone of their electoral success.

Logistics and candidate profile

A total of 1,448 candidates are testing their luck today, including 220 women. Local authorities in Kolkata confirmed that while there were minor reports of technical glitches with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in a few pockets of Howrah and Kolkata South, these were swiftly addressed by booth officials to prevent any significant delays.

Looking ahead to May 4

As the day progresses, the focus will shift to the final turnout figures, which often cross the 80 per cent mark in West Bengal. In the 2021 edition, this specific belt saw intense polarization, and the current momentum suggests that the 2026 battle is being fought with equal, if not greater, intensity.

The fate of these 142 seats will be sealed in the ballot boxes by early evening, with the final counting of votes scheduled for May 4. For now, all eyes remain on the remaining hours of polling as the state decides whether the TMC’s "South Bengal fortress" remains intact or if the BJP has finally breached the wall.