Kolkata’s Gita recital turns ugly: Vendors slapped, humiliated over selling chicken patties, 3 arrested: VIDEO
What began as a massive spiritual spectacle — five lakh voices chanting the Gita at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground — spiralled into shocking chaos after two food vendors were assaulted, humiliated and forced into public punishment simply for selling chicken patties.
Police have now arrested three men, identified as Soumik Golder (23), Tarun Bhattacharya (51) and Swarnendu Chakraborty (32), after a disturbing video of the attack went viral, prompting public outrage.
The trio had travelled to Kolkata on December 7 to attend the mega ‘Panch Lakkho Konthe Gita Path’ event, organised by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad. But the spiritual gathering took an ugly turn when they allegedly confronted two vendors — Sheikh Riyazul and Mohammad Salauddin — questioning how they dared to sell chicken patties at a religious function.
What began as taunting quickly escalated into physical assault. According to the complaint, the accused insulted the vendors, slapped and punched them, and even forced them to do sit-ups while holding their ears — an ordeal captured on a video that spread rapidly across social media. One of the vendors claimed his food stock worth ₹3,000 was destroyed in the chaos.
Acting on the complaints filed at Maidan Police Station, Kolkata Police analysed CCTV footage and the viral video, identifying and arresting the accused. A senior police officer confirmed, “Based on the complaint and investigation, arrests have been made. The probe is ongoing.”
With lakhs attending the Gita recital, including prominent Hindu religious figures and several top BJP leaders — such as Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, LoP Suvendu Adhikari, MP Samik Bhattacharya, and actor-politician Rudranil Ghosh — the incident has raised serious questions about crowd conduct and security.
Police sources said the investigation may widen, and more arrests cannot be ruled out. What was meant to be a spiritual celebration has now become a flashpoint of outrage and embarrassment for organisers, as the city debates how a religious gathering turned into a scene of intimidation and violence.