A vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court is set to conduct an urgent hearing on Tuesday, 19 October 2026, on the alleged ransacking of Communist Party of India (Marxist) bookstalls near community Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal during the ongoing festive season. The petition was admitted by the court on Monday, and the matter is expected to be heard by the single-judge bench of Justice Partha Pratim Roy.

The Petition and Demands

The petition has been filed by the CPI(M)'s Jadavpur area committee, based in South Kolkata, and includes a demand for compensation in addition to judicial intervention. The Jadavpur area was among the localities where two CPI(M) bookstalls were allegedly vandalised on the night of Saptami, sparking political controversy. The party has now chosen the legal route to press its case.

Pattern of Vandalism Across the State

Allegations of vandalism at CPI(M)-organised bookstalls have reportedly surfaced across multiple parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata, since the start of the Durga Puja festivities. The incidents are not isolated — according to party leaders, the damage occurred in three or four separate locations, lending the matter a political dimension that has gone beyond a local law-and-order issue.

What the Government Said

The vandalism drew condemnation from an unexpected quarter — West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, a journalist-turned-politician, publicly deplored the incidents. Dasgupta said: 'I could have understood if the event was an isolated incident. But it happened in three or four places. I cannot accept this in any way. We have ideological differences with the Left Parties. But why do some people not let them sell books? Who are they? Who gave them this right? Such matters are reprehensible. I feel ashamed. May this never happen again.' Several intellectuals and members of civil society have also condemned the events, adding to pressure on authorities to act.

A Long-Standing Tradition Under Threat

While CPI(M) leaders and activists traditionally do not participate in the religious rituals of Durga Puja, the party has for decades used the festive gatherings as an opportunity to set up bookstalls near popular community pandals. The stalls carry Communist and Marxist literature, and serve as a public outreach exercise at a time when large crowds congregate across the state. This year, the stalls also displayed literary works by celebrated Bengali writers including Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, broadening their appeal beyond ideological literature.

What Happens Next

The Calcutta High Court's ruling on the CPI(M)'s petition — particularly on the demand for compensation and any protective order — will be closely watched by political observers ahead of future festive seasons. The case also raises broader questions about the right to peaceful political expression in public spaces during cultural events.