00:01Okay, let's turn then from there to another controversy, this time in Kolkata, where the Durga Puja celebrations that will
00:07conclude today have turned this time into a battle of books, with the left and the ABVP clashing over competing
00:14stalls, from a JCB sent to remove a CPM book stall to a saffron stall making its debut, the ideological
00:21battle in Bengal spilling onto the streets during Durga Puja. Take a look.
00:36It's battle over books in Kolkata, there's Durga Puja.
00:42With the left and the right locked in an ideological fight, things took an ugly turn in South Kolkata on
00:48Saturday, when a JCB machine was sent to remove a book stall set up by the CPM near the Jadavpur
00:55University.
00:58Party workers blocked the JCB, forcing the administration to retreat.
01:06In another incident, ABVP workers targeted a bookstore in North Kolkata.
01:11They were confronted by elderly people at the bookstore.
01:15The incidents triggered an online backlash and were criticised by even ruling party members.
01:39The chief minister, Shubhendu Adhikari, here has yet again reiterated the caution to the general public that beware of cockroaches
01:46and communists.
01:48They have their fathers in China.
01:50That I think RSS leaders have been telling for a long time that there are three major enemy of India.
01:55It was their idea that the Hindus should not be taking part in the freedom struggle or the struggle against
02:01British because the major enemy of India is communists, the Muslims and the Christians.
02:05They are trying to preach this hate for a long time, but the people of India has defeated that.
02:10You can call us name, you can call us communists, you can call the young people cockroaches, but the cockroaches
02:15and the communists both have shown what the true meaning of India is.
02:20The CPM bookstall at Jadavpur, which escaped demolition, has been operating during Durga Puja for the last 49 years.
02:28While the left parties have had a long tradition of opening bookstalls during Puja, the right-wing organisations have also
02:36joined now.
02:38This year, a saffron stall is a new addition in the area.
02:42The bookstall was set up by BJP and RSS workers with the support of party MLA, Sir Bori Mukherjee.
02:51Reports of vandalism has taken place at bookstalls erected by the left political parties.
02:59The state BJP, of course, has been quick to distance itself, with the BJP leadership saying that they do not
03:05subscribe to such acts of vandalism.
03:09With Srinamal Congress, the Congress also coming to the rescue of the left and providing them their support.
03:17Interesting times ahead, as far as Bengal politics is concerned.
03:21With camera person Tapus Bhairi Indrajit, for India Today in Kolkata.
