August 22, 2026 02:48 am (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.
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