The air in West Bengal crackled with political tension this weekend as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari took aim at a decades-old tradition: Communist Party bookstalls at Durga Puja celebrations. His criticism ignited an immediate and fierce response from CPI(M) leaders, turning what might have been a cultural discussion into a full-blown ideological battle.

Key facts

  • CM Adhikari accused CPI(M) stalls of promoting foreign communist leaders while ignoring Indian icons
  • CPI(M) has operated bookstalls at Durga Puja pandals since 1954
  • Party leaders responded with photographs showing books by Swami Vivekananda at their stalls
  • Both sides exchanged sharp remarks during public events on September 13, 2026

A Tradition Under Fire

For seventy-two years, the sight of Marxist literature alongside festive decorations has been part of Bengal's Durga Puja landscape. The practice began in 1954 at Park Circus through veteran Communist leader Muzaffar Ahmed's initiative. These stalls typically offer Marxist texts, party publications, and books spanning various subjects—a tradition that now finds itself squarely in the political crosshairs.

The Accusation

At a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Kestopur last Thursday, Adhikari made his position painfully clear. "The books they sell do not include even one on Swami Vivekananda," he alleged. "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." The Chief Minister didn't stop at criticism—he actively appealed to Puja committees to ban Left-affiliated stalls from operating near pandals.

The Defense

CPI(M) leaders responded with both evidence and principle. They flooded social media with photographs showing their stalls indeed carry works by Vivekananda alongside other Indian icons. State secretary Md. Salim offered a particularly sharp analogy: "The CM's statement sounds like accusing a sweet shop of not keeping cashews and raisins." He emphasized that democracy thrives on cultural coexistence, noting that nobody questions why RSS-affiliated Gita Publications doesn't stock Marx's works.

"Democracy means co-existence of a variety of cultures and ideas. The CM's statement sounds like accusing a sweet shop of not keeping cashews and raisins." - Md. Salim, CPI(M) State Secretary

Broader Implications

Senior leader Sujan Chakraborty accused the Chief Minister of attempting to incite tensions during the festive season—a serious charge in a state where festivals often transcend politics. The CPI(M)'s defense rested not just on what they sell, but on their right to choose their offerings without political interference. As Chakraborty put it, "He cannot dictate what we should sell at our bookstalls. He has no such right." This clash represents more than just a disagreement over bookstore inventory—it touches on fundamental questions about cultural expression and political diversity in India's most politically charged state.