Who is afraid of a bookstall? Can burning one silence dissent?

A bookstall at a Durga Puja pandal is not only a place to browse through literature — in West Bengal, it has been a long-standing tradition for Left parties to popularise their ideology among the people, while also providing an avenue for book lovers to buy their favourite authors’ works.

But this Durga Puja season, CPI(M) bookstalls have seen an upsurge in obstruction, with one dispute over a stall in Bongaon reaching the Calcutta High Court.

The confrontation began on the night of 15 October, when a CPI(M) bookstall at Charapool intersection in the Palashi Majhipara area of Bijpur, North 24 Parganas, was allegedly vandalised and set on fire by unknown persons. According to CPI(M) sources, locals came to the scene and doused the flames, preventing serious damage to the books.

CPI(M) leaders, including senior party functionary Kaltan Dasgupta, blamed people allegedly backed by the BJP for the attack. However, this could not be confirmed. A senior police official stated that the situation was under control and that police personnel had been posted at the spot. The BJP’s state president, Samik Bhattacharya, claimed that his party had nothing to do with the alleged attack. ([Telegraph India][1])

The incident has reignited a heated debate about who has the right to propagate their literature and political creeds in the vicinity of puja pandals during the biggest festival of this culturally-conscious state.

How did the row begin?

The row began on 10 September, when West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told Durga Puja committees not to allow CPI(M) bookstalls around their pandals if CPI(M) used the word Sharodotsav, which means autumn festivity, instead of Durga Puja.

Adhikari alleged that using the word Sharodotsav took away the religious significance of the festival. In addition, he accused parts of the Left of targeting Sanatan Dharma and the saffron colour.

But for CPI(M), the bookstalls are a deeply entrenched tradition. CPI(M) bookstalls sell Marxist and progressive literature, publications of the CPI(M), and other books. The tradition began in 1954 when veteran Communist leader Muzaffar Ahmed started the first CPI(M)-affiliated bookstall in Park Circus. It became a regular feature of the Durga Puja season in Bengal, but, with the Left Front losing power in 2011, such bookstalls became a rarity.

This is precisely why the current controversy surrounding the bookstalls is significant — CPI(M) considers them not only a tool to propagate its ideology, but also a part of Bengal’s cultural heritage.

However, as the controversy mounts, CPI(M)’s detractors feel that the Left’s insistence on establishing bookstalls in the vicinity of puja pandals assumes a communal colour.

From obstruction to alleged attacks

CPI(M) bookstalls are not only a Left-versus-Right debate — they have also been attacked and vandalised.

In Entally area of Kolkata, the Kamardanga Durga Puja committee displayed a Bam Badh (slay the Left) banner and prevented CPI(M) from putting up a bookstall near their pandal. They accused the Left of working for anti-national elements and claimed that the locals objected to CPI(M)’s presence near the puja pandal.

Similar incidents of alleged vandalism or obstruction of CPI(M)’s bookstalls took place in Palta’s Shantinagar area, parts of Kolkata, Jorabagan, Shibpur and Kulpi in South 24 Parganas. The Telegraph reports that on 17 October, there were also alleged attacks on CPI(M) bookstalls at Dhakuria, Kasba, Behala, Howrah, Birati, Naihati and Kanchhrapara.

On 17 October, CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim, along with other CPI(M) leaders, protested against the alleged attacks and promised to continue to put up bookstalls. Salim accused the RSS and BJP of being behind the attacks, which they have denied.

In an unrelated incident, the AIFB bookstall in Sitai, Cooch Behar, was allegedly vandalised ahead of Durga Puja. The party accused BJP Yuva Morcha members of the attack, which they rejected, and the police tightened security in the area.

While these allegations have surfaced, the actual responsibility of the accused parties needs to be established.

What did the Calcutta High Court say?

Meanwhile, the CPI(M)’s dispute with the administration has entered the courts. On 15 October, CPI(M) was allowed by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya of the Calcutta High Court to set up a bookstall within 100 metres of its party office in Jessore Road, Bongaon, North 24 Parganas. The court ordered that police personnel be posted to ensure law and order.

The CPI(M) had approached the court after it was allegedly prevented from setting up a bookstall even though other bookstalls were allowed in the area. ([India Today][4])

But the court order was stayed by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on 16 October. According to The Telegraph, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Shabbar Rashidi, said that CPI(M) had not produced the necessary permission documents from the landowner or police. It mentioned that the order pertained only to the bookstall in Bongaon and not to all CPI(M) bookstalls. The next hearing was scheduled for 21 January 2027.

The difference between a single judge’s ruling and a division bench’s order is that the former was applicable only to the CPI(M) bookstall in Bongaon, and not all CPI(M) bookstalls. Similarly, the stay was limited to the CPI(M) bookstall in Bongaon and did not apply to all CPI(M) bookstalls. It is important to note that while the CPI(M) dispute with the administration has reached the courts, it does not confirm the allegations of attacks on CPI(M) bookstalls.

The issue highlighted by this case — unequal enforcement of the law — is also of great importance. Political parties and other organisations must comply with the applicable laws in all matters relating to the use of land and other resources. But they should also be held accountable if they do not follow the rules.

More than a debate over books

The Durga Puja season in Bengal is not only a time for religious observances — it is also a popular cultural event. Art, literature, and commerce thrive during this season. That is why this row assumes a significance far greater than a mere ideological conflict between political parties. Bookstalls offer an easily accessible platform for a political party to spread its ideology. But they are also a cultural and commercial space, which makes this conflict a debate over the right to occupy public space.

CPI(M) views this conflict as an attempt to limit its presence and influence. Its detractors have questioned CPI(M)’s use of the word Sharodotsav and raised concerns about CPI(M) bookstalls being in the vicinity of puja pandals.

However, these allegations must be viewed with a degree of scepticism. While CPI(M)’s detractors are certainly free to oppose CPI(M)’s bookstalls, the allegations of violence need to be investigated.

But more importantly, we must ask ourselves whether a politically-charged atmosphere allows varied opinions to coexist. A bookstall should not be judged based on the contents of the books it sells, but neither should those who run it be exempt from the law.

As this row continues to dominate the headlines, Bengal will have to confront not just the conflict between CPI(M) and its detractors, but also the larger issue of whether a culturally-rich festival such as Durga Puja can truly be inclusive.