Kolkata, Oct. 16 -- Left parties on Friday vowed to continue setting up book stalls during Durga Puja despite repeated attacks, accusing the state government and police of failing to protect democratic rights and freedom of expression.
At a press conference at Muzaffar Ahmad Bhavan, CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim said the attacks were an assault on democracy and described them as fascist tactics. Leaders of the CPI, Forward Bloc, RSP, CPI(ML) Liberation and SUCI(C) also attended.
Salim alleged that stalls had faced attacks in Kasba, Behala, Dhakuria and Bhatpara. He demanded action by the home secretary and police against those responsible, accusing the authorities of inaction and alleged complicity. "Books cannot be stopped from being printed, read or sold by any ruler," Salim said, adding that the Left would resist the attacks and set up more stalls.
He said the stalls encouraged reading, rational thinking and intellectual debate, accusing the chief minister of attempting to dictate which books could be displayed and who could operate stalls.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.