Stories
Division Bench Dismisses Marxist Literature Stall in Bongaon Ending 62-Year CPIM Tradition
- •For the first time in 62 years, no CPIM bookstall is being set up during the puja in Bongaon.
- •A division bench of the Calcutta High Court stayed the earlier order of a single bench granting permission.
- •The special division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Raj Shabbir Rashidi heard the matter.
- •The court observed that everyone is equal before the law and no stalls can be set up by the roadside without permission.
- •The division bench rejected even the last-minute proposal to sell books using a table and an umbrella, scheduling the next hearing for January 21.
Key Questions Answered
For the first time in 62 years, the CPIM bookstall during puja in Bongaon was halted after a division bench of the Calcutta High Court stayed an earlier single bench order that had initially granted permission. The special division bench, led by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Raj Shabbir Rashidi, ruled that no stalls can be set up by the roadside without proper legal permission.
Faced with opposition, the CPI(M) made a final last-minute proposal requesting permission to set up a bookstall using only a five-foot-long table and an umbrella, without constructing any temporary marquee or using any microphones. However, the division bench rejected this modified proposal as well.
Following the division bench's decision to stay the single bench's order and issue notices to all involved parties, the court scheduled the next hearing for the case on January 21.
