CPI(M) hits back at WB CM over his comments on party’s Durga Puja bookstores

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. File | Photo credit: ANI

CPI(M) leaders on Sunday (September 13, 2026) attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Suvenda Adhikari for his criticism of party bookstores at Durga Puja pandals, saying the stalls carry books on a wide range of subjects, including the lives and works of Indian icons.

Mr. Adhikari accused the CPI(M) of selling works by “foreign” communist leaders like Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin while ignoring Indian icons, including Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhansa, in its bookstores during Durga Puja.

On Thursday, the Chief Minister alleged that the Left leaders were deliberately targeting Sanatan Dharma icons. He also appealed to the Durga Puja Committees not to allow any leftist bookstores near the pandals during the festival to flaunt the word “Sharodotsav” (autumn festival) instead of Durga Puja.

The CPI(M) and its affiliates traditionally set up book stalls near Durga Puja pandals where they sell Marxist literature, party publications and other books. The practice dates back to 1954, when the first such stall associated with the CPM was set up at Park Circus at the initiative of veteran communist leader Muzaffar Ahmed.

“The books they are selling do not have a single book 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,” Mr. Adhikari claimed while addressing a gathering after the commencement of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Kestopur.

CPI(M) reacts

CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Responding to his remarks, Salim said the Chief Minister’s statement was an attack on democracy. “Democracy means coexistence of different cultures and ideas. The CM’s statement sounds like accusing a sweet shop of not hiding cashew nuts and raisins. RSS Gita Publication also sells books on Hindu religion. No one asked them why they don’t keep Karl Marx’s book. That’s how democracy works,” he said at a press conference on Sunday, September 26, Murshidabad.

The CPI(M) also uploaded photos of its stalls on social media to show that books by Swami Vivekananda are available at the stalls every year. “The Chief Minister does not even know what exactly we sell. He cannot dictate to us what we should sell in our bookstores. He has no such right. Our progressive bookstores have always offered books on a wide range of subjects, including the lives and works of Indian icons like Swami Vivekananda, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Rabindranath Tagore,” the CPI leader said.

Accusing the chief minister of trying to incite people during the festive season, he said the CPI(M) would never accept such attempts.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 23:21 IST