Bookstalls vandalised during Durga Puja festivities in Bengal, Left goes to HC

Durga Puja festivities in West Bengal have been marred by allegations of political vandalism, with Left parties claiming their temporary bookstalls were targeted across the state. The CPI(M) has moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging attempts by civic authorities and police to remove its stall in Kolkata’s Jadavpur, news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

The CPI(M), SUCI and other Left parties alleged that their stalls were vandalised at several locations, from Dinhata in Cooch Behar district to Haridevpur in south Kolkata. The incidents drew condemnation from some BJP and RSS leaders, who said ideological differences could not justify curbing freedom of expression.

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty on Monday described the vandalism as an attack on democratic thought. “They are the enemies of Bengali Hindus,” the former Jadavpur MP said, accusing the BJP of acting against the interests of Bengali Hindus despite projecting itself as their champion.

Chakraborty said Left parties had been setting up temporary bookstalls near puja pandals since at least 1952. “The attackers are afraid of books and democratic thoughts, and that is why they vandalised the bookstalls,” he said.

The controversy comes amid Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s criticism of Communist parties. “The Communists do not offer prayers, refuse to tie the sacred thread on their wrists, and do not put tilak on their foreheads. Beware of them,” he said.

In September, Adhikari had urged Durga Puja committees not to allow CPI(M) bookstalls outside pandals if the party used the term “Sharodotsav”, or autumn festival, instead of “Durga Puja”.

However, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta condemned the alleged vandalism, saying ideological differences did not justify preventing the Left from displaying or selling books, PTI reported.

“I am ashamed that such a thing has happened, and such things should not be repeated,” he told a Bengali news channel while visiting a Durga Puja pandal. Dasgupta said he did not know who was behind the attacks or their political affiliations, but noted that incidents at multiple locations could not be dismissed as isolated.

“I have an ideological difference with the Leftists, but that does not mean I will not allow them to display or sell books,” he said, stressing that freedom of thought and expression must be protected.

Dasgupta said he had seen Left parties setting up bookstalls during pujas for 30 to 40 years. While acknowledging that they were atheists ideologically, he said that was no justification for vandalism. “I cannot support hooliganism on that excuse,” he said.

He compared the freedom to sell books to the choice viewers have over television channels, saying people should be free to decide what they read. Marxist literature, he added, might have limited contemporary relevance but remained a historical document. “If someone wants to read it, let them,” he said.

Dasgupta also cited the BJP’s opposition to the ban on Salman Rushdie’s ‘The Satanic Verses’ and its support for author Taslima Nasreen’s right to express herself, despite ideological differences.

RSS leader Jishnu Basu also condemned the alleged vandalism, telling PTI that Left parties had the right to set up bookstalls unless they engaged in activities that endangered lives. Calling those responsible cowards, he said Hindutva allowed people to express differing opinions.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned the state government’s use of official machinery against political opponents. In a post on X, he contrasted the alleged deployment of police and civic authorities to remove bookstalls in Jadavpur with the crowd-management failures surrounding the Chorbagan tragedy in Kolkata, in which 19 people died.