Don't buy Mamata's: Suvendu Adhikari wants Vidyasagar's books in state-run libraries

Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday urged libraries in West Bengal to stock books by polymath and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar instead of titles by Mamata Banerjee. He also announced plans to develop Vidyasagar's birthplace, Birsingha, as a destination for tourists and researchers.

Addressing a gathering at Birsingha in Paschim Medinipore district, Adhikari said the government would develop a library there into a museum and take up a series of infrastructure projects. He said the plans included accommodation for researchers and tourists, new roads, solar lights, and improvements to the local health centre and libraries.

Adhikari said books by Banerjee would be removed from state-run and government school libraries, where stocking them had once been mandatory.

"Vidyasagar left behind an immense treasure. This government will follow his path. There are numerous books, so do not buy 'Epang Opang Jhapang' anymore. Buy Vidyasagar's books and fill school libraries with them," he said.

He said the library at Birsingha would be developed into a museum. The government also plans to build cottages for researchers studying Vidyasagar and provide accommodation for tourists visiting the village.

"Many people want to carry out research. I have asked the district magistrate to provide land to build special cottages for them," he said.

Adhikari also said a Vidyasagar Shishu Udyan, a community hall and new roads would be built, while solar lights would be installed in the village. He said the government would improve the infrastructure of the local health centre and renovate libraries.

Banerjee's poem 'Epang Opang Jhapang' is known for its playful verses and had drawn attention in political and cultural circles, with some critics questioning its literary and educational value.

In June this year, the West Bengal government announced a revamp of state-run and public libraries and proposed removing books considered to have little educational or intellectual value. 'Epang Opang Jhapang' was among the titles mentioned in connection with the move.

Adhikari's remarks linked the call to stock Vidyasagar's works with a broader plan to develop Birsingha through a museum, research facilities and civic infrastructure projects.