Tension flared near Jadavpur University in Kolkata on Saturday evening after a bulldozer arrived to remove bookstalls set up by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for Durga Puja.
The stalls, located near the 8B bus stand, drew a gathering of party workers, students and local residents as police and civic officials arrived at the site. The move prompted objections from stall organisers, who challenged the proposed removal.
Civic officials said the stalls had been set up without the required police permission. They maintained that civic approval for temporary stalls was conditional on obtaining police clearance.
However, the organisers disputed the claim, saying they had secured the necessary permissions, paid municipal taxes and completed the required formalities. They also alleged that officials arrived without prior notice and attempted to move the bulldozer towards the stalls.
The situation remained tense as those present resisted the proposed action. Reports indicated that the stalls were not demolished during the confrontation.
The incident comes amid disputes over CPI(M) bookstalls during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal. The party has alleged that its stalls have faced obstruction, vandalism and attacks at several locations.
In a separate incident in Bardhaman, several CPI(M) bookstalls were allegedly vandalised by masked men. The party said it had sought police protection before the incident.
The controversy has sparked a wider political dispute over access to public spaces during the festival. The CPI(M) has accused its political opponents of targeting its stalls, while the BJP’s state leadership has denied directing such actions.