The Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), has claimed that book sales at its stalls across West Bengal increased significantly during the Durga Puja festivities, despite reports of vandalism and attempts to demolish stalls at several locations. The party says the rise in sales reflects growing public interest in its books, with some districts reporting figures well above last year’s collections.
Reports of attacks on CPI(M) book stalls emerged in the days leading up to Durga Puja and continued during the celebrations. Incidents were reported even on Saptami night, when a tragic stampede took place in Chorbagan. In Jadavpur, allegations surfaced that a book stall had been demolished using a bulldozer.
Amid the controversy, the Left leadership has argued that the response from readers has strengthened its presence at the Puja book stalls. However, the party has yet to complete the final tally of sales across all locations.
CPI(M)reports higher book sales across West Bengal
Several districts have reported an increase in book sales during the Puja period, according to local CPI(M) leaders. In Howrah, a party leader claimed that books worth more than ₹10 lakh were sold at Left-wing book stalls during the festivities.
Murshidabad also recorded a rise in sales. The CPI(M) set up 19 stalls across the district, where books worth ₹4,74,641 were sold. According to the local leadership, the amount was nearly ₹1 lakh higher than the previous year’s figure.
In Phulia, Shantipur, book sales reached ₹18,972 this year, compared with ₹9,447 last year. The increase came despite the reported vandalism of the CPI(M) stall in the area.
Jadavpur, meanwhile, has reportedly witnessed record book sales, although the party has not yet released a final figure.
The CPI(M) has pointed to these numbers as evidence that the controversy surrounding its stalls has not discouraged readers from visiting them.
North Bengal sees rise in CPI(M) book stall sales
The party has also reported an increase in sales in North Bengal. In North Dinajpur, books worth ₹77,000 were sold across seven stalls, according to the Left.
Siliguri has emerged as another significant location for the CPI(M)’s book-selling campaign. The party claims that sales at its main stall rose from ₹15,000 during the previous Puja to ₹68,000 this year.
The local leadership has also reported an increase in sales across 19 other book stalls in the subdivision. However, a comprehensive account of the total sales from all these locations is still awaited.
The CPI(M) expects to complete the counting process within the next few days. Until then, the figures released by individual districts remain provisional indicators of the overall performance.
Kalotan Dasgupta calls sales a response to vandalism
CPI(M) leader Kalotan Dasgupta said the final sales figures would carry significance beyond their monetary value. He argued that the response from readers had turned the controversy into a wider contest over political ideas and the freedom to express them.
“The final figure will serve as a slap in the face to those who came to vandalize the stalls. It will take another two days to complete the tally. But this is not just about the amount of money; it is a battle on the soil of West Bengal, a contest between those who sell books and those who peddle an ideology.”
Dasgupta also said the support extended by local residents had been particularly meaningful for the party.
“This matter cannot be judged in terms of monetary value. Many people have connected with our book stall this year. A resident living opposite the site of the attack even offered, ‘My ground-floor room is vacant; you can set up your book stall there.’ Gaining these new friends, that is our true reward.”
His remarks placed the focus on the relationships formed during the Puja festivities, rather than on sales figures alone.
BJP MLA Kaustav Bagchi condemns attacks on books
BJP MLA Kaustav Bagchi said neither the use of bulldozers nor attacks on books could be justified. At the same time, he argued that the political messaging associated with the stalls had contributed to public anger.
“The use of bulldozers or attacks on books, neither is acceptable. At the same time, it must be understood that anti-national slogans and rhetoric directed against Hinduism have incited people. Nevertheless, I reiterate that attacks on books cannot be condoned.”
His statement reflected opposition to the reported vandalism while also raising objections to the political and religious rhetoric surrounding the controversy.
Swapan Dasgupta and RSS leader Jishnu Basu oppose vandalism
Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta had also condemned the reported attacks on Left book stalls, saying ideological differences could not justify preventing books from being displayed or sold.
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“Who gave them the authority? I may have an ideological disagreement with the Left, but that is no reason to obstruct the sale of their books or prevent them from being displayed! This is simply unacceptable. I do not know who is behind this, who are these people? I am not getting into any debate here; I am simply saying that this is condemnable and must never happen again.”
RSS leader Jishnu Basu also criticised attempts to prevent the stalls from operating, arguing that suppressing opposing views was contrary to Hindu values.
“Those who, in their arrogance of power, are preventing the setting up of a book stall, have neither understood India nor are they worthy of bearing the name ‘Hindu.’ This goes against the Hindu ethos. Suppressing dissenting views is an injustice.”
Suvendu Adhikari comments on Durga Puja book stall row
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the dispute involved more than the sale of books, arguing that critics were conflating the stalls with CPI(M) politics. He maintained that book lovers should not be portrayed as opposed to books, while questioning the party’s approach to traditional Hindu practices.
“They are conflating books with CPI(M) politics; we are book lovers, not anti-book. You oppose traditional Hinduism, refusing to offer Pushpanjali or Ashtami Anjali, or to participate in Sindoor Khela, yet you set up a stall right in front of a Durga Puja! Whatever the Corporation or the government has done is in accordance with the High Court’s directives. I would say there is no need for anyone to take the law into their own hands.”
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As the controversy continues, the CPI(M) is awaiting its consolidated sales figures from across West Bengal. The reported increases in several districts have become a central part of the party’s response to the allegations of vandalism, while statements from political and RSS leaders have highlighted the wider debate over ideological differences, religious traditions and the freedom to sell books during Durga Puja.