Kolkata, April 29: In a moment that stood apart from the tension and political sparring that marked much of polling day in West Bengal, saffron-robed monks from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) brought an atmosphere of joyful devotion to a Kolkata polling booth on Wednesday, dancing and singing bhajans as they exercised their democratic right during the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.
The monks arrived at the La Martiniere Boys’ School polling booth, one of Kolkata’s most recognised polling centres, chanting and moving in the devotional style characteristic of ISKCON congregational worship. Their presence drew attention from fellow voters and bystanders alike, turning a routine act of civic participation into a scene of celebration.
ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das noted that for Krishna devotees, no task — however civic or administrative in nature — begins without first remembering the Lord. The monks’ decision to mark the occasion with song and dance was in keeping with that tradition, treating the act of voting as one deserving of spiritual acknowledgement.
The second phase of polling covered 142 constituencies across Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman, with over 3.22 crore voters eligible to cast their ballots. Voting began at 7 AM and concluded at 6 PM, with the Election Commission reporting a voter turnout of over 61 per cent by 1 PM. Results for both phases of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 will be declared on May 2.