Amit Shah to Visit ISKCON Mayapur Tomorrow: Full Schedule of Home Minister’s Nadia Visit
Participting a religious festival in Mayapur
UPDATED 17.02.2026
EDITED BY: RASHMI RANJAN
MAYAPUR, WEST BENGAL | Amid the escalating political heat of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to embark on a high-profile visit to the ISKCON headquarters in Mayapur, Nadia district, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The Itinerary: A Blend of Devotion and Presence
According to official sources, the Home Minister will arrive at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, around 2:00 PM. From there, he will proceed to Mayapur via an Army helicopter.
Shah's visit is primarily centred around attending the 152nd Holy Appearance Day (Birth Anniversary) of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, a legendary Vaishnav revivalist and the founder of the Gaudiya Math.
Key highlights of the visit include:
Ceremonial Aarti: Participation in the evening prayers at the Sri Krishna temple.
Floral Tributes: Honouring ISKCON founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Spiritual Interaction: A brief interaction with senior ISKCON monks and religious figures.
Journalism Analysis: Religious or Political?
While BJP state leadership, including Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar, maintains that the visit is purely "devotional and cultural," political analysts view it through a different lens.
The Outreach: Nadia district is a crucial belt for the Matua community and the Vaishnavite vote bank.
The Timing: Coming just weeks before the state goes to the polls, temple visits often serve as a platform for cultural connect and "soft" outreach.
The Counter-Argument: ISKCON spokesperson Ramesh Das clarified, "The event is organized by the Saraswata Gaudiya Vaishnava Sangha. We have no political business; it is a purely religious congregation."
Source Links for Verification:
Official Schedule Details:
PTI News Report Election Context:
ANI News Coverage Local Update:
Telegraph India
This video provides critical context on Amit Shah's broader strategy and his recent visits to West Bengal as the party prepares for the 2026 assembly elections.
