Procession for ‘slain’ Ananda Margis today

Followers of Ananda Marga – a socio-religious sect will take out a procession Thursday to commemorate and pay tribute to 17 of its followers who were allegedly burnt alive near Bijon Setu in South Kolkata in 1982. The procession will begin from Deshapriya Park and end at the Bijon Setu where a meeting will be held.

Ananda Marg spokesperson Acaharya Divyachetananand said the “sacred procession” would be held despite the bandh called by Left parties on Thursday. The group sought permission from the police for the event and have acquired the necessary sanction for it.

[related-post]

Acharya Divyachetananand said that in 1982, as many as 17 Ananda Margis, including a woman sanyasin, were burnt alive by Communists near the Kasba overbridge.

Story continues below this ad

The Ananda Margis demanded punishment of the culprits, including bringing the truth behind the killings before the public.

Acceding to their demands, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee set up an inquiry commission known as Justice Amitava Lala Commission in 2012 to probe into the mass killings. The commission is currently examining witnesses of the incident.