1 week ago
Bengal Minister Warns Mamata Over 19 Unreturned Tagore Books
A West Bengal Assembly library says 19 books borrowed in Mamata Banerjee’s name have not been returned.
The books are mostly writings by Rabindranath Tagore.
They include 18 volumes of his collected works and one poetry book.
Minister Gourishankar Ghosh said the normal library rules should apply to Banerjee too.
He said she could face a fine or need to replace books if they are late, lost or damaged.
Banerjee reportedly said the books are in the Chief Minister’s room inside the Assembly building.
Library officials said the books are not officially returned until they are brought back to the library.
The minister also wants state libraries to change which books they buy and give more attention to history, culture and nationalist writing.
West Bengal minister Gourishankar Ghosh warned of possible legal action over 19 books issued to Mamata Banerjee from the Assembly library.
The collection includes 18 volumes of Rabindra Rachanabali and one copy of Rabindranath Tagore’s Sanchayita.
Ghosh said penalties could include a delayed-return fine or replacement copies for books that are lost or damaged.
Banerjee reportedly told officials that the books were in the Chief Minister’s Assembly chamber, but library officials said they must be physically deposited to count as returned.
Ghosh also criticised alleged purchases of Banerjee’s books by state libraries and outlined plans to emphasise Indian history, culture, nationalism and educational literature.
- Who
- West Bengal Library Affairs Minister Gourishankar Ghosh and former chief minister Mamata Banerjee are central to the dispute; Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is also referenced.
- What
- The Assembly library is seeking the physical return of 19 books issued in Banerjee’s name, with Ghosh warning that penalties or other legal action could follow.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the West Bengal Assembly library and the Chief Minister’s chamber in the Assembly; Ghosh discussed it at a programme in Suri, Birbhum.
- When
- The issue was discussed on Tuesday during the 127th foundation-day celebrations of the Vivekananda Library; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- The prescribed borrowing period reportedly expired and repeated reminders were allegedly unanswered, while the books have not been physically deposited with the library.
Minister and Library Officials
Banerjee’s Reported Position
Whether the books remain unreturned
Minister and Library Officials
Gourishankar Ghosh and Assembly library officials said the books remain unreturned because the prescribed period expired and they have not been physically deposited with the library.
Banerjee’s Reported Position
Banerjee reportedly told officials that the books were neither with her nor at her residence, but were in the Chief Minister’s chamber at the Assembly.
Rules for a former chief minister
Minister and Library Officials
Ghosh said Banerjee should receive the same treatment as any ordinary reader, with possible fines or replacement requirements under library rules.
Banerjee’s Reported Position
The articles do not report a direct response from Banerjee about whether she accepts or disputes the proposed procedure.
State-library collections
Minister and Library Officials
Ghosh alleged that the previous government had politically instructed libraries to buy Banerjee’s books, including Epang Opang Jhopang, and said such works should be removed or deprioritised.
Banerjee’s Reported Position
The articles provide no direct response from Banerjee or the Trinamool Congress to the allegations or to Ghosh’s proposed collection changes.
Key facts
- Books involved
- 19 books
- Collection
- 18 volumes of Rabindra Rachanabali and one copy of Sanchayita
- Borrower listed
- Mamata Banerjee
- Potential penalties
- A delayed-return fine, or replacement copies if books are lost or damaged
- Reported location
- The Chief Minister’s chamber in the Assembly
- Library requirement
- Officials say books must be physically deposited with the Assembly library to count as returned
- Policy dispute
- Ghosh criticised alleged purchases of books authored by Banerjee and called for more works on Indian history, culture, nationalism and education
Quotes
Gouri Sankar Ghosh
West Bengal mass education extension and library services minister
“She was repeatedly told by Assembly library officials to return the books. But she has not responded so far. If the books are not returned, legal action may be initiated”
telegraphindia.com
“Books such as Epang Opang Jhopang have no significance at all. So I ordered their removal from state-sponsored libraries”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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