Protests Erupt as Bulldozer Attempts to Remove CPI(M) Book Stall in Jadavpur During Durga Puja

On Saturday, a bulldozer dispatched to dismantle a Communist Party of India (Marxist) book stall in Kolkata’s Jadavpur area faced stiff resistance, forcing it to retreat amid a gathering of party supporters, local residents, and students. This incident is the latest in a series of clashes concerning Left parties’ book stalls during the festive Durga Puja season in West Bengal.

The scene unfolded when a team from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, accompanied by police and central forces, arrived with the bulldozer to remove the stall, which had been established just four days earlier. Witnesses described a tense atmosphere as party workers rallied to defend the stall, emphasizing the symbolic nature of the protest against perceived political targeting.

According to Sudip Sengupta, a member of the CPI(M) state committee, the stall had obtained all necessary permissions from the Kolkata Police and municipal authorities. He claimed that the aggressive move to dismantle the stall occurred after the court went on vacation, suggesting that the timing was politically motivated.

The situation drew further attention as the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation condemned the actions of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing them of systematically targeting Leftist book stalls. They stated, “The BJP-RSS regime fears books because it fears ideas,” highlighting a broader narrative of ideological conflict in the state.

This incident reflects ongoing tensions in West Bengal’s political landscape, particularly during significant cultural events like Durga Puja, where public spaces become arenas of political expression. The Left’s efforts to maintain a presence during this festive season have sparked both support and pushback, illustrating the deep-rooted rivalries that characterize the region.

Source: scroll.in