International Yoga Day | PM's Crowd Pulling Power Overshadows Yoga Lure on Red Road in Kolkata Tens of thousands of people gathered on Red Road in Kolkata on Sunday morning to celebrate International Yoga Day, but the event’s focus shifted from the ancient practice to the charismatic presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The crowd, estimated at 40,000, arrived before sunrise, stretching and bending for nearly an hour as the event unfolded. Many participants admitted that Modi’s political appeal, rather than the spiritual or physical benefits of yoga, had drawn them to the city’s “green lungs.” Rajesh Kumar Chandan, a 53-year-old businessman from Kankurgachhi, confessed that his recent adoption of yoga was directly influenced by Modi’s initiatives. “Whatever Modiji says, I will do,” he said. Similarly, Samrat Sikder, a schoolteacher from Ranaghat, credited Modi’s 2014 proposal for the United Nations’ designation of June 21 as International Yoga Day. “India showed the way thousands of years ago; Modi showed the way in 2014,” Sikder added, emphasizing the pride in hosting the event in Bengal. The logistics of the event reflected the political significance of Modi’s involvement. The Red Road, a major thoroughfare in Kolkata, was closed for a week leading up to the event, despite a court challenge to the closure. The BJP government, which came to power in May, also relocated Eid prayers from Red Road to the Brigade Parade Grounds, citing concerns over traffic congestion. On Sunday, however, the crowd and sentiment seemed to prioritize Modi’s presence over these logistical changes.#prime_minister_narendra_modi #international_yoga_day #red_road #west_bengal_chief_minister_suvendu_adhikari #union_ayush_minister_prataprao_jadhav
