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Suvendu Adhikari’s Bookstall Attack Draws CPM Photo-Based Rebuttal
Suvendu Adhikari criticized CPM bookstalls used during the festival season.
He said the stalls sold books about Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin but not enough books about Indian figures.
He also objected to the word “sharadotsab” being used instead of “Durga Puja.”
CPM leaders disagreed with him.
They shared a photograph showing a book about Swami Vivekananda at one of their stalls.
They said their stalls sell many kinds of books, including books about Indian leaders and culture.
Shatarup Ghosh also discussed Vivekananda’s brother, Bhupendranath Dutta, who supported communist ideas.
Adhikari separately accused the Trinamool Congress government of encouraging “Jamat-e-Islamisation.”
Trinamool spokesperson Krishanu Mitra said the accusation needed credible evidence.
Suvendu Adhikari accused CPM festive bookstalls of promoting Marx and Lenin while excluding Indian cultural figures.
He also criticized the CPM’s use of “sharadotsab” instead of “Durga Puja” on its stalls.
CPM leaders shared photographs of a Behala stall displaying a book on Swami Vivekananda.
Shatarup Ghosh said CPM stalls offer books on Indian icons, history, science, philosophy and folk traditions.
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Krishanu Mitra rejected Adhikari’s allegation of “Jamat-e-Islamisation” and demanded evidence.
- Who
- Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, CPM leaders including Shatarup Ghosh, Kaustav Chatterjee and Sujan Chakraborty, and Trinamool spokesperson Krishanu Mitra.
- What
- A political dispute over the books and terminology used at CPM festive-season bookstalls, along with a separate allegation about “Jamat-e-Islamisation.”
- Where
- The remarks were made in Kestopur and at a public meeting in Nabadwip; the disputed photograph showed a stall in Behala.
- When
- Adhikari made the latest remarks on Saturday, two days after criticizing the CPM in the Assembly.
- Why
- Adhikari said CPM stalls neglected Indian cultural figures, while CPM leaders said the stalls offer a broad range of books and rejected his claims.
CPM and Trinamool Responses
Suvendu Adhikari’s Criticism
Books at festive stalls
CPM and Trinamool Responses
CPM leaders said their stalls stock books on Swami Vivekananda and other Indian icons, as well as works on history, science, philosophy and culture.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Criticism
Adhikari said the stalls emphasize foreign communist figures such as Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin while omitting Indian figures.
Use of “sharadotsab”
CPM and Trinamool Responses
The CPM’s response focused on defending its bookstalls and its broad selection of publications; the leaders quoted did not accept Adhikari’s broader criticism.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Criticism
Adhikari said Puja committees should not allow CPM stalls that use “sharadotsab” instead of “Durga Puja.”
“Jamat-e-Islamisation” allegation
CPM and Trinamool Responses
Trinamool spokesperson Krishanu Mitra rejected the accusation and demanded credible evidence or an investigation.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Criticism
Adhikari alleged that the Trinamool Congress government had moved toward “Jamat-e-Islamisation” during the later phase of its 15-year rule.
Key facts
- Main criticism
- Suvendu Adhikari said CPM stalls featured books on Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin but not on figures such as Swami Vivekananda.
- CPM evidence
- Kaustav Chatterjee shared a photograph of a Behala stall showing a book on Vivekananda.
- Festival terminology
- Adhikari objected to the CPM using “sharadotsab” rather than “Durga Puja.”
- CPM response
- Shatarup Ghosh and Sujan Chakraborty said the stalls routinely include books on Indian icons and many other subjects.
- Historical reference
- Ghosh said Bhupendranath Dutta, Vivekananda’s brother, helped introduce Marx and Lenin’s writings in Bengal.
- Separate allegation
- Adhikari accused the Trinamool Congress government of moving toward “Jamat-e-Islamisation” late in its 15-year rule.
- Trinamool response
- Krishanu Mitra demanded credible evidence or a probe, calling the allegation cheap politics without proof.
Quotes
Sujan Chakraborty
Senior CPM leader responding to Suvendu Adhikari
“The chief minister cannot dictate what we should sell at our bookstalls. He has no such right. Our progressive bookstalls have always offered books on a wide range of subjects, including the lives and works of Indian icons such as Swami Vivekananda, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Meghnad Saha and many others. We also sell classics, books on history, science and technology, philosophy, folk tradition and biographies.”
telegraphindia.com
“A little away from the Puja pandals, they set up stalls wrapped in red cloth.... The books they sell do not include even one on Swami Vivekananda. You will not find a book on Swami Lokeshwarananda… or a book on Swami Pranavananda…. Instead, you will find books on foreigners like Karl Marx and Lenin”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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