Writers and activists march in Kolkata against attacks on Left book stalls
Protesters carried books instead of political flags to demonstrate against the alleged vandalism of Marxist and progressive literature stalls.
Writers, academics, students, and activists held a march titled ‘Walk for Books’ at Kolkata’s College Square on Saturday. According to The New Indian Express, the participants were protesting against attacks on book stalls belonging to the CPI(M) and other Left parties during the Durga Puja festival.
The organisers alleged that these stalls, which displayed Marxist and progressive literature, were targeted at various locations across the state. They claimed the vandalism was an attack on the freedom to read, publish, and sell books.
Participants carried books by figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay as symbols of resistance. CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim, Sujan Chakraborty, and Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya were among those who joined the march.
The CPI(M) alleged that nearly 300 stalls were targeted during the festival. Party leaders claimed that a stall in North 24 Parganas was damaged and set on fire by unidentified people on the night of October 15.
Other reported incidents of vandalism and obstruction occurred at Palta Shantinagar, Jorabagan, Shibpur, and Kulpi. In Entally, the Kamardanga Durga Puja committee prevented a CPI(M) stall from being set up, accusing the Left of aiding anti-national forces.