Manas Bhattacharya, Organizer of Akhil Bhartiya Sanskrit Parishad, today met with Kavinder Gupta, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, to discuss the upcoming program planned for the recitation of the Bhagavad Gita at Lal Chowk, Srinagar, marking the death anniversary of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on June 23, 2024. He extended an invitation to Kavinder Gupta to mark his presence as the Chief Guest and inaugurate the event.Manas Bhattacharya said that this initiative is a joint effort by cultural associations from West Bengal and Kashmir, aimed at commemorating Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s historic movement for “Ek Desh Ek Nishan” (One Country, One Flag). The program underscores the values of integrity and nationalism encapsulated in the Bhagavad Gita, and seeks to resonate with the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir, he added.He said the event will commence at 9 AM on June 23, 2024, at the historic Lal Chowk in Srinagar, where hundreds of participants will gather to recite Shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita. A statue of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee will be installed to honor his profound contributions and sacrifice for the unity of Kashmir with the rest of India, he added.
The celebrations on June 23rd will honor Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, a revered son of Bengal and a prominent statesman of India, who initiated his movement to enter Kashmir without a permit and laid down his life for the cause on June 23, 1953. Lal Chowk has been chosen for this event as it symbolizes the pride and spirit of Kashmir, reinforcing its integral connection to India. This initiative represents the collective efforts of three prominent organizations from West Bengal: Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrit Parishad, Matilal Bharat Tirtha Seba Mission Ashram, and HelpAge Bengal Education Mission. Their collaboration aims to rejuvenate the historic memory of Dr. Mukherjee’s movement and reinforce the unity of Kashmir with the rest of India under a uniform legal and constitutional framework.Kavinder Gupta gave his consent to participate in the event and said, “I am honored to be part of this significant commemoration. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s dedication to the unity of our nation is unparalleled, and this event will serve as a powerful reminder of his legacy and the values he stood for.”