Kolkata, Oct 12 CPI(M)'s cultural wing can set up bookstalls 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 of North 24 Parganas district.
The petitioners stated they had been setting up temporary bookstalls during Durga Puja festivities 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 bookstalls and verbally observed that the bookstall 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.
The CPI(M)'s cultural wings set up bookstalls near pandals across West Bengal during Durga Puja.
However, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari triggered a political slugfest last month when he asked Durga Puja committees not to allow CPI(M)'s book stalls near pandals if they use the term 'Sharodotsav' to describe the festivities and diminish the religious character of 'Durga Puja'.
