Attacks on Leftist Book Stalls During Durga Puja Spark Sales Surge

Since 1952, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and allied left parties have set up temporary book stalls near Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal, offering Marxist titles alongside works by Tagore, Bankim Chandra and Satyajit Ray.

Jadavpur bookstalls report 4x rise in sales after right-wing attack

On October 17, a CPI(M) stall in Jadavpur, south Kolkata, was confronted by a bulldozer that tried to demolish it. Party workers and residents blocked the machine, forcing it to retreat. Similar incidents were reported in Haltu, Kasba and other locations, with police and municipal vehicles present. Despite the disruptions, the stalls stayed open and crowds gathered through the night.

CPI(M) Book Sales Hit Rs 98 Lakh During Durga Puja Despite Alleged Attacks

• The Hindu reported sales in 12 districts exceeding INR1 crore; CPI(M) leader Satarup Ghosh said the total would rise after adding figures from the remaining districts.

The Hindu

• NDTV cited INR98 lakh statewide, including INR16 lakh at Jadavpur and about INR50 k each at Haltu and a makeshift Kasba stall, noting a 104 % year-on-year increase.

CPI(M) Book Sales Hit Rs 98 Lakh During Durga Puja Despite Alleged Attacks

• Careers360 recorded a four-fold rise at Jadavpur, from INR4 lakh last year to over INR16 lakh this year, and highlighted record sales for AISA, APDR and other left-front stalls.

Jadavpur bookstalls report 4x rise in sales after right-wing attack

• CPI(M) senior leader Sujan Chakraborty framed the incidents as “bulldozers vs. books,” saying they boosted footfall and sales.

The Hindu

• CPI(M) spokesperson Satarup Ghosh reiterated the INR1 crore figure and noted more than 1,000 temporary stalls statewide.

The Hindu

• BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the vandalism, asserting that perpetrators were misusing the party’s name.

The Hindu

• RSS leader Jishnu Basu and BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta also denounced the attacks, while BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari continued verbal attacks on the stalls.

The Hindu

Opposition leaders from the Trinamool Congress and the Indian National Congress visited the stalls in solidarity. Visual artist Bob and reader Subha Deb purchased books as a protest against what they described as state-backed hooliganism, highlighting intra-party disagreement within the BJP over the incidents.

The Hindu

• Sales figures differ: INR1 crore versus INR98 lakh, with both sources attributing numbers to CPI(M) leaders but without clarified methodologies.

The Hindu

• The number of stalls attacked varies: The Hindu cites “over 292 stalls,” while NDTV mentions “227 stalls” targeted, with 13 closed.

CPI(M) Book Sales Hit Rs 98 Lakh During Durga Puja Despite Alleged Attacks

• No independent verification of police involvement or the identity of the “unidentified people” who attempted dismantling has been provided.

Jadavpur bookstalls report 4x rise in sales after right-wing attack

• “It became about bulldozers vs. books, and people showed up for the books,” — Mr. Chakraborty

The Hindu

• “The rush was so heavy that the stall could not close at its scheduled time of 10 pm. People continued buying books until midnight and sometimes until 12.30 am,” — Subhash Majumdar

Jadavpur bookstalls report 4x rise in sales after right-wing attack

• “Books do not have religion, caste or gender. Selling books and buying books according to one's choice is the birthright of any person. When that is attacked, we have to stand against that attack,” — Suronjito Basu

Jadavpur bookstalls report 4x rise in sales after right-wing attack