Crime & Law · India
Kolkata Durga Puja Bookstall Dispute Leads to Court Case and Political Row
A dispute over a bookstall set up by the CPIM (Left parties) during Durga Puja in North Kolkata has led to a legal challenge and political controversy. The CPIM had sought protection from the Calcutta High Court against the removal of their bookstall, but the court dismissed their plea. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that Left parties should sell books at their offices and not set up stalls during the Puja. However, some Bengal BJP leaders, including State party president Samik Bhattacharya and Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, reportedly contradicted Adhikari and defended the Left parties' right to set up bookstalls. The Wire reported 19 deaths and bulldozed books in North Kolkata, placing the area under prohibitory orders during West Bengal's first Durga Puja under the BJP. The Pioneer reported that the RSS and a section of senior State BJP leadership condemned alleged saffron vandalism on Left bookstalls.
How outlets across the spectrum covered it
- Left (1): The Wire
- Centre (3): Deccan Herald, LiveLaw, The New Indian Express
- Right (1): The Pioneer