Kolkata: West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta has condemned attacks and vandalism targeting Left bookstalls across the state, saying such incidents violate freedom of speech and thought.

The Left parties have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being behind the attacks.

Speaking to ABP Ananda, Dasgupta said the Communist Party Marxist (CPM) should be allowed to set up bookstalls during Durga Puja, irrespective of its political ideology.

‘This is absolutely unacceptable. First, there is freedom of speech and freedom of thought. If the CPM wants to set up a stall, let them. What is the problem?’ he said.

Dasgupta said vandalising stalls displaying books by communist thinkers such as Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin was unacceptable. He also rejected the argument that the Left's atheist ideology could justify attacks on its bookstalls.

‘I am ashamed that a CPM stall has been vandalised. Some people say they are atheists. So what if they are atheists? Atheism is also part of Hindu philosophy. That does not justify hooliganism,’ he said.

Drawing a comparison with television channels, Dasgupta said people should be free to decide whether they wanted to engage with the ideas promoted by the Left.

‘If they want to spread their ideas, let them. It is much like television channels. There can be 30 channels, but the remote is in your hands. Whether you want to read their books or not is entirely your choice,’ he said.

The minister also criticised those allegedly carrying out the attacks in the BJP's name and questioned who had authorised such actions.

‘People are carrying out these attacks in the name of our party. Who are they? Who has given them the responsibility to do this?’ he said.

Referring to former BJP leader LK Advani's description of the party as a ‘party with a difference’, Dasgupta said the attacks were inconsistent with the BJP's stated political identity.

He also questioned throwing books into the garbage. ‘This is the kind of hooliganism that has been going on since May 4,’ he added.

The incidents have sparked political reactions amid Left allegations that BJP supporters are targeting its bookstalls during Durga Puja.

Dasgupta's remarks came as criticism mounted over the reported vandalism and the right of political groups to display and distribute literature in public spaces.