RSS leader, W.B. Minister oppose attacks on book stalls set up by Left parties at Durga Puja pandals

As attacks over book stalls set up by Left parties near Durga Puja pandals continue in different parts of the State, a senior functionary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and a West Bengal Minister has come out openly criticising the move.

Also read | Book stalls at Durga Puja pandals bear the brunt of Left versus Right face-off in West Bengal

Jishnu Basu, a prominent RSS leader from West Bengal, said that there is no valour in vandalising book stalls and those indulging in such acts are cowards. Mr. Basu, the Saha Khetra Prachar Pramukh of South Bengal, said that “those intoxicated by power and using the police to close down book Stalls” do not understand the country and cannot call themselves Hindu.

The RSS functionary said that only in the case of illegality can the police take action; otherwise, the CPI(M), CPI and SUCI (Communist) should be allowed to have book stalls.

West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta also said that he cannot support what was happening in connection with book stalls. “I have been witnessing such stalls for 30-40 years. Not that they draw a lot of attention. But they set up stalls anyway. I do not support the hooliganism around book stalls in any way,” Mr. Dasgupta told Bengali TV news channel ABP Ananda.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari continued to target the Left parties and said, “Everyone should be cautious of those whose forefathers are from China. There are the ones who are trying to create anarchy in the country,” he said.

The Chief Minister, who participated in a Durga Puja ritual at his hometown Kanthi, said that the communist do not participate in rituals, wear a sacred thread on their hand and put tilak on their forehead. Mr. Adhikari had urged Durga Puja organisers almost a month ago not to allow Left parties to set up book stalls in Durga Puja pandals.

CPI(M) moves Calcutta High Court to protect Jadavpur Book stall

The CPI(M) on Monday (October 19) moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and police attempted to remove a temporary book stall set up by the party in Jadavpur during the Durga Puja festivities.

On October 17, the supporters of Left parties resisted attempts by the administration to remove a temporary book stall in Kolkata’s Jadavpur area. The people formed a human chain and did not allow a bulldozer to raze the temporary structure. There were reports of book stalls of Left parties being vandalised across the State including at Howrah and Kolkata on Monday (October 19).

The practice of having bookstalls at Durga Puja pandals has a long tradition. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other Left parties do not directly associate themselves with the ritual aspect of Durga Puja, and these stalls are not only a way to popularise their ideology but also to connect with the people.

Last week, senior leaders of the Left parties came together and held a press conference alleging a clampdown on the book stalls across the State. West Bengal CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Salim said that the books are just an excuse; the party in power has decided on a crackdown on anything related to education and culture.

Book stalls of not only Left parties but also civil rights organisations are being targeted. Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) , a civil rights organisation, has written to the State’s Home Secretary stating that their stall was vandalised on October 19.