CPI(M) book stall vandalised in North 24 Parganas; BJP leader arrested
Synopsis
A CPI(M) book stall in Ashoknagar, North 24 Parganas was vandalised on Navami night during Durga Puja, a police officer was attacked and hospitalised, and a local BJP leader was arrested — the latest in a series of similar incidents across West Bengal during the festival season, with no response yet from the BJP.
Key Takeaways
A CPI(M) book stall in Ashoknagar , North 24 Parganas was vandalised on the night of Navami during Durga Puja .
BJP workers allegedly tore down posters and broke the Ganashakti newspaper display board and a party poster board.
Sub-Inspector Ashish Roy of Ashoknagar Police Station was attacked while trying to intervene; he sustained facial injuries and was admitted to hospital.
Local BJP leader Biswajit Nag , 45 , was arrested; a suo motu case has been registered.
CPI(M) book stalls have reportedly been attacked at multiple locations across West Bengal , including Kolkata and Nadia , during this festival season.
The BJP had not issued any response to the incident or the arrest as of 21 October 2026 .
Another CPI(M) book stall came under attack during Durga Puja in Ashoknagar, North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, police confirmed on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. A police officer sustained injuries while attempting to control the situation, and a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was subsequently arrested in connection with the violence.
What Happened at Ashoknagar
According to the police complaint, BJP workers tore down posters and flex banners from the CPI(M) book stall on the night of Navami (Tuesday). Allegations further state that the permanent display board of Ganashakti — the CPI(M) mouthpiece in West Bengal — and a party poster board were also broken during the incident.
A quarrel over the vandalism escalated into a full clash. Ashoknagar Police Station Sub-Inspector Ashish Roy, who arrived at the scene to intervene, was attacked. He sustained a cut to his face with heavy bleeding and was admitted to Ashoknagar State General Hospital for treatment.
Arrest and Police Response
Police arrested a local BJP leader identified as Biswajit Nag, 45, a resident of area number 5 in Ashoknagar. A suo motu case has been registered and an investigation is underway to determine whether others were involved in the clash and the attack on the officer. Additional police forces have been deployed at the site to maintain order.
CPI(M) Condemns the Attack
CPI(M) leader and former Ashoknagar MLA Satyasebi Kar condemned the incident, saying, 'Books teach people to understand the difference between right and wrong. They open people's eyes. They teach them to recognise white as white and black as black.' He alleged that the group had vandalised the stall by tearing down posters and flexes, and added: 'If there is an ideological dispute, they should also open a book stall to counter us and express their views.'
Local CPI(M) leader Shyamal Bose also condemned the attack, stating that 'those who are attacking the book stall are against books and knowledge.' He described the perpetrators as a group of unruly individuals.
Pattern of Attacks Across the State
This is not an isolated incident. CPI(M) book stalls have reportedly come under attack in multiple locations across West Bengal during the Durga Puja period, including incidents in Kolkata and Nadia district. The CPI(M) has accused the BJP of orchestrating the attacks, though as of filing, no reaction from the BJP on the Ashoknagar incident or the arrest of its leader has been received. This comes amid long-standing political rivalry between the two parties in the state, with similar clashes reported during festival seasons in previous years.
What Happens Next
The police investigation is expected to identify additional suspects. With BJP yet to issue a formal response to the arrest of Biswajit Nag, political tensions in Ashoknagar and surrounding areas are likely to remain elevated through the remainder of the Durga Puja celebrations.
Point of View
Raising the stakes for the administration. The BJP's continued silence after the arrest of one of its own is telling; it neither distances the party from the act nor contests the narrative. For a state that has seen sustained political violence for years, the real question is whether the suo motu registration leads to a broader crackdown or remains a token response.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the CPI(M) book stall in Ashoknagar during Durga Puja?
On the night of Navami during Durga Puja, BJP workers allegedly vandalised a CPI(M) book stall in Ashoknagar, North 24 Parganas, tearing down posters and breaking the Ganashakti newspaper board and a party poster board. A quarrel escalated into a violent clash, during which a police officer was also attacked and injured.
Who was arrested in connection with the Ashoknagar book stall attack?
Local BJP leader Biswajit Nag, 45, a resident of area number 5 in Ashoknagar, was arrested by police. A suo motu case has been registered and the investigation is ongoing to identify other individuals involved.
Was anyone injured during the clash?
Yes. Ashoknagar Police Station Sub-Inspector Ashish Roy was attacked while trying to stop the clash. He sustained a cut to his face with heavy bleeding and was admitted to Ashoknagar State General Hospital.
Has the BJP responded to the attack or the arrest of its leader?
As of 21 October 2026, no response from the BJP on this specific incident or on the arrest of Biswajit Nag had been received, according to reports.
Is this the first such incident this Durga Puja season?
No. CPI(M) book stalls have reportedly been attacked at multiple locations across West Bengal during the Durga Puja period, including in Kolkata and Nadia district. The CPI(M) has repeatedly accused the BJP of being behind these attacks.
