From Indiatoday · · 2m
Bookstall Vandalism Sparks Cultural Backlash in Bengal
Bengal bookstalls vandalized during Durga Puja trigger cross-party march for books.
In brief
Bengal bookstalls vandalized during Durga Puja trigger cross-party march for books. Bengali bookstalls vandalized during Durga Puja sparked a march in Kolkata where people of all ages held books as symbols of intellectual resilience. Originally reported by Indiatoday.
Bookstall Vandalism in Bengal
Bookstalls put up by Left parties were vandalized across Bengal during Durga Puja with books torn and people allegedly assaulted.
“Books were torn and thrown around, while people associated with the stalls were allegedly assaulted by members of right-wing groups”
March for Books Rally
On October 31, Kolkata organised a rally named March for Books drawing nearly a thousand people from all age groups and social backgrounds.
“It was an incredible experience”
Bookstall Vandalism Incidents
In Kolkata's Jadavpur, a bulldozer demolished a CPI(M) bookstall; in Bangaon, authorities disallowed a stall continuing; in Dum Dum, a right-wing student leader threw books and beat an elderly man.
“In Dum Dum, a right-wing student leader threw books on the ground, tore them apart and beat up an elderly man who tried to resist”
Political Backlash
Team Mamata MLA Kunal Ghosh bought books to show solidarity; BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta said the incidents lowered his head in shame.
“The BJP, too, was quick to distance itself from the vandalism, with Swapan Dasgupta saying the 'incidents have lowered his head in shame'”
Bengali Book Culture
Touching a book with feet is considered a sin in Bengali households; books represent 'Bidye' or knowledge and wisdom.
“Touching a book with one's feet is considered a sin”
Historical Roots of Book Reverence
The Calcutta Textbook Society established in the 1820s made books affordable using modern printing and Bengali typefaces.
“The society sought to make books available cheaply using modern printing technology and Bengali typefaces”
Intellectual Tradition
Bengalis have historically engaged with international ideas like Spinoza, Nietzsche, Goethe, Victor Hugo and Montesquieu.
“People were reading Spinoza, Nietzsche, Goethe, Victor Hugo and Montesquieu”
Left vs Right Ideology
Jawhar Sircar describes the attack as a tussle between the 'literate Left' and the 'illiterate Right'.
“The political Left does not have a monopoly over books. When they kicked the books, they did not kick the Left; they kicked our soul”
Youth Participation
Young people at the rally saw books as an escape from social media and a way to understand the world.
“We live in books and see life through the mirror of their existence”
Political Threats
State BJP leaders threatened to prevent bookstalls near pandals, arguing Left promoted atheism and sold books by Lenin and Stalin.
“Several leaders from the ruling party made it clear that the stalls would not be spared, asking why the Left would sell books written by Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin”
Cultural Identity
Bookstall vandalism touched a nerve beyond political support, showing cultural identity cannot be taken for granted.
“In Bengal, books have long represented more than reading. They stand for a way of thinking, questioning and engaging with the world”
Societal Reaction
The October 31 rally showed people still value books despite changing consumption habits.
“I believe people still value books and reading. Perhaps how people consume literature is changing, but the curiosity hasn't disappeared”
Political Context
The BJP's state unit pushed hardline tactics to emerge as the most hardline leader in West Bengal.
“He enjoys strong support among the most hardline and fanatic sections of the party in the state”
Cultural Significance
Bookstall vandalism sparked resistance to defend cultural identity, not just political parties.
“When that space is threatened, the resistance is not necessarily about defending a political party. It is about defending something people believe belongs to them”
The one thing
Bengali bookstalls vandalized during Durga Puja sparked a march in Kolkata where people of all ages held books as symbols of intellectual resilience.
