Kolkata: CPM’s cultural wing can set up book stalls during Kali Puja, the Calcutta High Court suggested on Monday while hearing a plea that claimed authorities have denied permission for such temporary stalls during Durga Puja in Naihati and Bongaon in North 24 Parganas.The petitioners stated they had been setting up book stalls during Durga Puja in Naihati and Bongaon for the past 50 years. Their lawyer Shamim Ahmed told the court that permission has been denied this year on the ground that “there is a direction from higher authorities”.Hearing the matter, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya asked whether it confers any right upon the petitioners to set up the book stalls and verbally observed that the book stall can be set up during Kali Puja, which would be held a fortnight later.When the petitioner’s lawyer requested the matter be released from his court, Justice Bhattacharyya said he would consider that on Tuesday.CPM has been setting up book stalls near pandals across the during Durga Puja for decades. However, CM Suvendu Adhikari triggered a row last month when he asked Durga Puja committees not to allow CPM book stalls near pandals if they use the term ‘Sharodotsav’ to describe the festivities. — Agencies
