CPM book stalls vandalised across Bengal during Puja; Phulia stall set on fire, Jadavpur row reaches High Court

Kolkata: Several book stalls belonging to Left parties were vandalised, dismantled or removed at different locations in West Bengal during Durga Puja, with the CPM approaching the Calcutta High Court over the removal of its stall in Jadavpur.

In Nadia’s Phulia, a CPM Puja book stall near Ranga Mancha was vandalised and set on fire on Sunday.

Photographs of eminent personalities, book stands and benches used by party workers were damaged. Photographs kept inside the stall were also torn, triggering tension in the area.

In a separate incident, a CPM book stall in Sodepur, Haridevpur, Kolkata, was allegedly vandalised late at night. The CPM accused miscreants allegedly backed by the BJP of carrying out the attack.

However, BJP MLA Shankar Sikdar of Behala Purba denied the allegations. Local CPM leaders have lodged a complaint at Haridevpur police station.

The developments come amid a dispute over the removal of the CPM’s book stall at Jadavpur’s 8B bus stand.

On Saturday evening, police arrived at the stall and asked the organisers to produce the necessary permission documents. Central forces, a municipal vehicle, and a bulldozer were also on site.

CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty and other party workers engaged in a heated exchange with the police. Women workers formed a human chain around the stall, while several protesters stood in front of the bulldozer.

The CPM has questioned why the state brought a bulldozer to remove the stall and has approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking action against the state government, including a financial penalty.

The party’s Jadavpur Area Committee filed the petition. The court has granted an urgent hearing, and the matter is scheduled for Tuesday before Justice Parthapratim Roy.

The party has also alleged that the police did not take similar action against the Maharshi Aurobindo Akhanda Bharat Book Sales Centre located near the Jadavpur stall.

Separately, police dismantled book stalls belonging to SUCI and AISA near Gate No. 2 of Jadavpur University on Saturday night.

In an order dated October 16, the Calcutta High Court directed the police to ensure that CPM members could set up and operate their book stall during Durga Puja without obstruction.

The court observed that disseminating diverse political ideologies is essential for a fruitful, deep-rooted, and mature democracy.

Despite this order, another CPM book stall was vandalised in Nagerbazar by people allegedly carrying ABVP flags. People also vandalized another CPM stall at Chapadali More in Barasat.

Police also removed stalls belonging to three Left parties near Dhakuria Bridge.

The incidents have sparked a dispute over how political book stalls are treated during Durga Puja. The allegations of political involvement in the vandalism remain contested.