The Calcutta High Court has sought the West Bengal government’s instructions on allegations that CPM workers were stopped from setting up book stalls during Durga Puja in Bongaon and Panihati, including outside party offices. The court is scheduled to hear the matter next on Wednesday.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya took up the case on Tuesday after being informed that it could otherwise be released from his list and placed before another bench. The court noted that shifting the matter would require the petitioners to serve fresh notices and could delay an urgent hearing.
Senior advocate Samim Ahmed, appearing for the CPM, told the court that the party had been putting up book stalls during Durga Puja for 40 to 45 years. He said the party’s representation had not been formally refused this year and that workers had begun erecting temporary structures, but alleged that they were being restrained from proceeding.
According to the petition, one of the incidents took place in Bongaon on October 6. The CPM alleged that when its workers began constructing a book stall at about 6.30 am, people associated with the Hindu Jagran Mancha obstructed the work. The petition further alleged that CPM workers were assaulted and threatened against putting up the stall.
Ahmed also told the court that the party had sought to place a stall in front of its office, but that a temporary structure had been erected there by people associated with the Hindu Jagran Mancha. He alleged that police personnel did not intervene. These claims were presented by the CPM and remain subject to the state’s response before the court.
During the hearing, the judge asked whether police permission was required before setting up book stalls. Ahmed replied that it was not, arguing that the party had put up such stalls every year to disseminate information and that doing so formed part of its fundamental duty.
The exchange places the dispute at the intersection of temporary structures, public access, police responsibility and the use of space outside political party offices during a major festival period. The report does not establish whether the local administration had issued any written restriction on the stalls or whether permissions were required under local rules.
The state was directed to obtain instructions through the additional advocate general appearing before the court. The matter will return for hearing on Wednesday, when the government’s position is expected to be placed before the bench.
