Book stalls at Durga Puja pandals bear the brunt of Left versus Right face-off in West Bengal

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary Md. Salim inaugurated a book stall in Kolkata's Tollygunge area. This year, the books at the stalls which have been set up by the NBA have registered a 20 % increase in sales. | Photo Credit: Debasish Bhaduri

Restrictions and attacks on book stalls set up by Left parties at Durga Puja pandals have become the latest flashpoint in the West Bengal politics. The development has come to the fore when the West Bengal government faced considerable criticism over painting flyovers in Kolkata and then trying to scrub off the paint and install anti-skid barriers when a few motorbikes skidded on a city flyover.

The practice of having book stalls at Durga Puja pandals has a long tradition. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other Left parties do not directly associate themselves with the ritual aspect of the Durga Puja, and these stalls are not only a way to popularise their ideology but also to connect with the people.

A Single Bench of the Calcutta High Court had directed the State government to allow such a stall at Bongaon on Thursday. However, the Division Bench Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Shabbar Rashidi stayed the order on Friday after the State government challenged it.

Single Bench Judge Saugata Bhattacharyya, in his order on Thursday, observed that dissemination of different political thoughts and ideologies is welcome in democracy since it makes the democracy fruitful, deep-rooted and mature. While Justice Bhattacharyya had advised the present ruling dispensation to create an atmosphere where persons owing allegiance to different political ideologies will not hesitate to express their views, the State government clearly did not heed the advice.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had more than a month ago on September 10 urged Durga Puja committees to deny those any space near pandals to those who refer to Durgapuja as “Sharodotsav”, or autumn festival. Mr Adhikari, who claims that the Durga Puja will be observed in a traditional way, said that use of Sharodotsav was part of a concerted attempt by the Left parties to dilute the religious character of the festival and impose communist culture.

Not only have the book stalls of the Left parties not been given permission, but leaders of the Left parties said that several of their stalls have been attacked. Leaders from Left parties came together on Friday and said that stalls have allegedly been attacked in parts of Kolkata and the districts, including Entally and Jorabagan in north Kolkata, Kulpi in South 24 Parganas, and Bijpur in North 24 Parganas. CPI(M) said that their under-construction book stall in Bijpur was allegedly set on fire late on Thursday night.

West Bengal CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Salim said that the books are just an excuse; the party in power has decided on a crackdown on anything related to education and culture. Mr.