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4 clusters · 8 sources · 23 days · First seen · Last updated

Political violence and bookstall disputes in West Bengal

Overview

Political tensions in West Bengal have intensified during the Durga Puja festival, centered on attacks and administrative actions against bookstalls operated by Left parties, including the CPIM, CPI, and CPI(ML) Liberation.

In Bongaon and Kulpī, CPIM members reported that groups of youths using religious slogans engaged in vandalism and arson against stalls. CPIM leaders filed police complaints alleging BJP involvement, while BJP representatives maintained the actions were local protests against remarks made by CPIM leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. In Birati, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) reported that a meeting was disrupted by individuals who vandalized the stage, microphones, and banners. SFI leaders accused the BJP of orchestrating the disruption, while local BJP representatives denied involvement, claiming residents had grievances regarding potentially controversial remarks.

Confrontations expanded to Jadavpur, where a Kolkata Municipal Corporation team, accompanied by police and central forces, attempted to demolish a CPIM bookstall. Despite the party asserting it held required permissions, the attempt resulted in an overnight standoff. The CPIM petitioned the Calcutta High Court, which scheduled a hearing for October 20 to provide temporary relief.

By late October, reports indicated nearly 300 stalls were targeted across areas including Barasat, Nagerbazar, Jadavpur, and Kasba. Allegations surfaced regarding right-wing groups tearing book pages or using garbage trucks to remove books from CPI(M) stalls. In response, organizers have planned a ‘Walk for Books’ march in Kolkata on October 29 to defend intellectual freedom. Meanwhile, the BJP announced plans to establish approximately 5,000 bookstalls near Puja pandals to distribute party-related literature.

Entities

Calcutta High Court · BJP · Bharatiya Janata Party · West Bengal · Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Kolkata bibliophiles to protest alleged attacks on bookstalls

    A march titled ‘Walk for Books’ will take place in Kolkata on October 29 to protest alleged vandalism and arson against Left-wing bookstalls during the Durga Puja festival.

  2. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    West Bengal bookstalls face political confrontation during Durga Puja

    Political tensions have risen in West Bengal as Left party bookstalls face reported attacks and demolition attempts during Durga Puja, leading to judicial intervention by the Calcutta High Court.

  3. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    West Bengal: CPIM bookstalls vandalized amid political tension

    Political tension has risen in West Bengal after CPIM bookstalls in Bongaon and Kulpī were allegedly vandalized and set on fire during preparations for Durga Puja.

  4. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Birati: SFI meeting disrupted amid allegations of vandalism

    Political violence broke out in Birati, West Bengal, as an SFI meeting was disrupted and vandalized. SFI members blame the BJP, while BJP officials deny involvement, citing local public opposition.

Sources

bengali.news18.com · counterview.net · eisamay.com · millenniumpost.in · nationalheraldindia.com · sabrangindia.in · thefederal.com · uttarbangasambad.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history