Story perspectives

Calcutta High Court Orders Police to Allow CPI(M) Stalls

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 10:40 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

CPI(M) stalls vandalized

CPI(M) book stalls were vandalized at several Durga Puja sites, including attacks in Islampur, Phulia, Sodepur and Barasat.
Eight to ten youths damaged a CPM stall in Islampur, injuring Jayanta Roy, Timir Roy and Swapan Guha Niyogi.
CPI(M) blamed BJP for the Islampur attack.
BJP secretary Surajit Sen called the claim false.
Calcutta High Court ordered police to permit CPI(M) stalls during Durga Puja and set an urgent hearing.

Summary

Finance Minister Condemns Vandalism

Finance Minister Dr Swapan Dasgupta condemned the bookstall vandalism, saying ideology does not justify it.
He compared the right to sell books to viewers choosing TV channels, stressing freedom of choice.
Dasgupta noted the BJP once opposed banning Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses” and backed Taslima Nasreen’s expression.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury accused the government of using police to target bookstalls, citing the Chorbagan tragedy that killed 19.

History

Historical Context

On 6 December 1992 the Babri Masjid was demolished by VHP and BJP activists, igniting nationwide Hindu-Muslim riots that killed at least 2,000 people, including about 900 in Mumbai. The episode prompted Indian courts to intervene in communal violence. In 2024 the Calcutta High Court’s order to protect CPI(M) book stalls during Durga Puja echoes that legacy of judicial involvement.

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CPI(M) stalls vandalized

CPI(M) book stalls were vandalized at several Durga Puja sites, including attacks in Islampur, Phulia, Sodepur and Barasat.
Eight to ten youths damaged a CPM stall in Islampur, injuring Jayanta Roy, Timir Roy and Swapan Guha Niyogi.
CPI(M) blamed BJP for the Islampur attack.
BJP secretary Surajit Sen called the claim false.
Calcutta High Court ordered police to permit CPI(M) stalls during Durga Puja and set an urgent hearing.

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