Full Breakdown
Vandalism of Left-Party Bookstalls During West Bengal’s Durga Puja Sparks Political Tensions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident: Attack on a CPM Stall in Islampur
On Tuesday night, a group of eight to ten youths armed with sticks entered a Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) bookstall near the government bus terminus in Islampur, North Dinajpur district. They damaged books, chairs and tables and assaulted several party members, including zonal secretary Jayanta Roy (head injury) and retired teacher Timir Roy (hand injury). Veteran leader Swapan Guha Niyogi and four other workers were also injured before the attackers fled.
Background & Context
CPM and other Left parties have operated temporary bookstalls near Durga Puja pandals since the early 1950s. This year, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s government directed puja committees to deny permission to stalls that used the term “Sharodotsav” instead of “Durga Puja.” In Islampur, the BJP erected a tent opposite the CPM stall, and loudspeaker speeches from that tent were reported as provocative from the first day of the festival.
Data & Statistics
- Vandalism was reported in at least eight locations across West Bengal, including Islampur, Jadavpur, Haridevpur, Sodepur, Phulia (Nadia), Nagerbazar, Barasat and Dhakuria.
- Injuries were recorded among CPM workers in Islampur and a local party member, Jayanta Deb, in another incident.
- The Calcutta High Court ordered police on October 16 to ensure CPM stalls could operate without obstruction during Durga Puja.
Official Statements & Responses
- Surajit Sen, BJP district secretary (Islampur): condemned the incident, called the CPM’s allegations “false,” and urged police investigation.
- Dr Swapan Dasgupta, Finance Minister: expressed shame over the attacks, said ideological differences do not justify preventing the sale of Left publications, and said he did not know who was behind the vandalism.
- Jishnu Basu, RSS leader: condemned the vandalism, affirmed the right of Left parties to set up stalls, and labeled the perpetrators “cowards.”
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress leader: questioned the state government’s use of official machinery against political opponents.
- Justice Parthapratim Roy (Calcutta High Court): granted an urgent hearing on the CPM petition seeking penalties against the state government for obstructing its stall.
Criticism & Opposition
- Gouranga Barman, CPM district committee member (Islampur): accused the BJP of provoking the attack through loudspeaker speeches and alleged the party’s involvement.
- Sujan Chakraborty, former Jadavpur MP and CPM leader: described the vandalism as an attack on democratic thought and blamed “enemies of Bengali Hindus.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The CPM and allied Left parties allege BJP supporters carried out the attacks.
- BJP officials, including Surajit Sen, deny any party involvement.
- Police confirm control of the situation but have not publicly identified the perpetrators.
- No independent investigation results have been released, leaving the responsible parties unverified.
What’s Next
An urgent hearing on the CPM’s petition is scheduled for the Tuesday after the October 16 court order, where parties will seek clarification on the enforcement of the High Court’s directive and possible penalties for obstruction.