March 11, 2026 05:07 pm (IST)
Mamata opposes idea of Gita as national holy book
Kolkata, Dec 8 (IBNS): After External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said the holy book Bhagavad Gita should be declared a national scripture, opposition Trinamool Congress has protested the idea.
"Constitution is the Holy Book in a democracy," said TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"We respect all Holy Books. Quran, Puran, Ved, Vedanta, Bible, Tripitak, Zend Avesta, Guru Granth Sahib, Gita - All are our pride," tweeted Banerjee through the party's Twitter handle.
"Our Constitution says India is a secular country. The Constitution is the Holy Book in a democracy," she said.
Speaking at an event to mark the 5,151 years of the Bhagavad Gita, Swaraj appreciated Prime Minister's Modi move of presenting the Bhagavad Gita to US President Barack Obama.
"Gita should be declared as a national scripture," she said.
"I am feeling happy to say that Prime Minister Modi has gifted the Bhagavad Gita to US President Barack Obama. It means that the holy book has already received the honour of a national scripture," she said.
"Today, we only need a formal announcement," she said.
Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Supreme Court allows first-ever passive euthanasia for 32-year-old man in coma for 13 years
Wed, Mar 11 2026
LPG crisis hits metros: Commercial cylinder shortage triggers panic as govt prioritises domestic supply
Wed, Mar 11 2026
As Iran-US war disrupts global gas supply, India issues guidelines to manage shortages
Tue, Mar 10 2026
Mumbai dentistry student dies by suicide, note alleges mental harassment by boyfriend
Tue, Mar 10 2026
Kolkata: Mamata calls off dharna against SIR after five days, says ‘fight for justice’ will continue
Tue, Mar 10 2026
US: Dance video at WWII Memorial sparks outrage, Indian-origin man may face deportation
Tue, Mar 10 2026
'Most effective answer': Supreme Court says Uniform Civil Code key to ensuring equal rights for women
Tue, Mar 10 2026
