Suvendu says Left parties should sell books from offices, not Durga Puja stalls
The West Bengal chief minister’s remarks came amid allegations that CPI(M) and other Left parties’ bookstalls were vandalised during Durga Puja festivities
Kolkata, Oct 20 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said that Left parties should sell books at its offices in the state instead of setting up bookstalls during Durga Puja festivities.
Adhikari’s comments come amid allegations by the CPI(M), SUCI and other Left parties that their bookstalls were vandalised at several places across West Bengal during the Durga Puja festival.
"We are all book lovers and are not against books. But, if you do not offer pushpanjali or attend the Navami aarti, accept religious symbols such as the sacred thread and tilak, and oppose Sanatani Hindu traditions, why should you set up bookstalls in front of Durga Puja pandals?" he told reporters.
The CPI(M) has also moved the Calcutta High Court, alleging that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the police attempted to remove a temporary bookstall set up by the party in Jadavpur during the Durga Puja festivities.
Adhikari was speaking outside the residence of a person, who died in the stampede at Chorbagan Durga Puja in north Kolkata on October 17. Twenty-five were also injured in the incident.
The CM on Tuesday met the relatives of three of the 19 deceased in the stampede and handed over Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to each of the grieving families.
Referring to the CPI(M), he described it as a party that had lost relevance in West Bengal, and said there was no need to make it politically relevant.
"Those who do not believe in Durga Puja or other forms of worship, and do not accept the Vedas, Upanishads or the Bhagavad Gita, should not be allowed to sell books during the Durga Puja," Adhikari asserted.
"Anyone interested in Marxist philosophy can visit Left party offices and buy books. We believe in Indian philosophy, which is much richer. We believe in the philosophies of Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda. We view the Bhagavad Gita not merely as a religious text, but also as a source of scientific knowledge," he said.
The chief minister said that the Left parties had “around 4,000 to 5,000 offices”, where they can sell books.
Adhikari also attacked the Left parties over the Chorbagan stampede incident, alleging that its leaders had not visited the injured in hospital or the affected families. PTI