# Bookstall Vandalism Sparks Cultural Backlash in Bengal > Bengal bookstalls vandalized during Durga Puja trigger cross-party march for books. - Title: Bookstall Vandalism Sparks Cultural Backlash in Bengal - Summary: Bengal bookstalls vandalized during Durga Puja trigger cross-party march for books. - Keywords: breaking, bengal, durga puja, bookstall vandalism, kolkata, march for books, cpi m, bjp, left parties, right-wing groups, intellectual freedom, india - Source: Indiatoday — https://indiatoday.in/india/story/bengal-bookstall-vandalism-durga-puja-cultural-backlash-bjp-tmc-cpim-3034313-2026-11-07 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: breaking, bengal, durga puja, bookstall vandalism, kolkata, march for books, cpi m, bjp, left parties, right-wing groups, intellectual freedom, india ## 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 ## Key takeaway Bengali bookstalls vandalized during Durga Puja sparked a march in Kolkata where people of all ages held books as symbols of intellectual resilience.