CM Himanta visits Kolkata, seeks blessings at Jain community meet
Synopsis
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Kolkata, received blessings of Lord Adinath — first Tirthankara of Jainism — and met the city's Jain community, commending their contributions to state and national development.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Kolkata and sought blessings of Lord Adinath , the first Tirthankara of Jainism.
He met members of Kolkata's Jain community and praised their contributions to the state and nation.
Kolkata has historically hosted a prominent Jain community with deep roots in trade, philanthropy, and institution-building.
The visit is part of CM Sarma's broader pattern of inter-community outreach beyond Assam's borders.
No new policy announcements or formal agreements were referenced in the post.
A day after seeking the blessings of Lord Adinath — the first Tirthankara of Jainism — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, September 24 shared his reflections from Kolkata, saluting the Jain community's enduring contributions to the nation and its states.
In a post on X, CM Sarma wrote: 'कल कोलकाता में श्री भगवान आदिनाथ का आशीर्वाद प्राप्त हुआ और शहर के जैन समुदाय से भेंट की।' — 'Yesterday in Kolkata, I received the blessings of Lord Adinath and met with the city's Jain community. Their contribution to the development of the state and the nation is commendable.'
Lord Adinath and Kolkata's Jain heritage
Lord Adinath, revered as the first of the 24 Tirthankaras in Jain philosophy, is among the most venerated figures in the faith. Kolkata has long been home to a significant Jain presence — the city's temples and community institutions trace their roots to merchant families who settled in Bengal generations ago, building places of worship that stand as landmarks of the community's deep-rootedness in eastern India.
Jain community's role in trade, philanthropy, and public life
India's Jain community, though a religious minority, has historically punched well above its numbers in commerce, philanthropy, and civic institution-building. From financing early industrial ventures to establishing hospitals, educational trusts, and animal welfare organisations, the community's imprint on Indian public life is wide and lasting. CM Sarma's explicit acknowledgment of their contribution to 'state and nation-building' underlines that recognition at the highest levels of elected governance.
Sarma's inter-community outreach beyond Assam
For an Assam Chief Minister, a visit to Kolkata to engage with a religious community carries its own signal. Sarma has consistently maintained public engagement with diverse religious and social groups — both within Assam and in cities beyond — as part of a broader political outreach that reflects his role as the BJP's NEDA convenor for the North-East. Visits like these rarely generate formal policy announcements, but they do reinforce political bridges and affirm the community's place in the national conversation.
The Jain community across India will note the gesture. So, no doubt, will West Bengal's political landscape.
Point of View
Sarma's political radius extends well beyond Assam, making outreach visits to cities like Kolkata strategically meaningful rather than purely ceremonial. The framing of community contribution as integral to 'state and nation-building' is a deliberate rhetorical bridge — one that positions the BJP as a broad-church party without triggering divisive optics. Whether this translates into concrete community partnerships or remains goodwill diplomacy is the question worth watching.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visit Kolkata?
CM Sarma visited Kolkata to seek the blessings of Lord Adinath and meet with the city's Jain community, acknowledging their contributions to state and national development.
Who is Lord Adinath in Jainism?
Lord Adinath, also known as Rishabhadeva, is the first of the 24 Tirthankaras in Jain philosophy and is among the most revered figures in the Jain faith.
What is the Jain community's significance in Kolkata?
Kolkata's Jain community has deep historical roots, with prominent temples and institutions built by merchant families who settled in Bengal generations ago, contributing significantly to trade and philanthropy.
Does Himanta Biswa Sarma regularly meet religious communities outside Assam?
Yes, as Assam CM and BJP's NEDA convenor, Sarma has maintained consistent public engagement with diverse religious and social groups both within Assam and in other cities as part of broader political outreach.
Did CM Sarma announce any new schemes or policies for the Jain community?
No specific policy announcements or new schemes were referenced in CM Sarma's post about the Kolkata visit.
