Kolkata, Oct. 23 -- The CPI(M) is preparing to mobilise its student and youth wings during Christmas, drawing on its efforts to protect Left bookstalls which faced attacks during Durga Puja across Bengal.
The party plans to expand its Christmas book stall activities, including around Park Street and churches. Party leaders believe the controversy surrounding bookstalls has helped restore its political visibility beyond the Trinamool Congress-BJP contest.
The party believes religious tensions could trigger disturbances during Christmas celebrations and has begun organisational preparations in several districts. Nadia, particularly Ranaghat and Krishnanagar, is among its priorities, as the district has a significant Bengali-speaking Christian population.
CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim visited Nadia on Thursday and conveyed the party's message at a district committee meeting. He said representatives of the Banga Christian Council had met him and that the party had assured them of support.
"Wherever an incident takes place, our student and youth activists will reach there," Salim said.
Herod Mallick, a leading representative of the Christian organisation, said it had approached several political parties and social organisations over incidents allegedly targeting Christians. He reportedly claimed that 45-46 incidents targeting Christians had occurred across the state over the past three to four months, including alleged attacks on churches in Krishnanagar, Santoshpur and Sandeshkhali. He said the organisation wanted to engage with the state government but had been compelled to approach other groups.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.