“Not to stifle the voice of other parties”: the Calcutta High Court’s message to the State in a CPI(M) book stall plea for Durga Puja.
Kolkata: Hearing the CPI(M) book stall plea, in which the party seeks permission to set up the stall outside its office during Durga Puja, the Calcutta High Court has told the West Bengal government “not to stifle the voice of other parties, as that is not the spirit of democracy” [CPI(M) v. State of West Bengal and Others].
The party says it has run the stall for over 60 years. This year, it alleged, the Hindu Jagran Mancha stopped it from doing so and put up its own stage, with no interference from the police. These are the petitioner’s allegations and have not been adjudicated.
PWD land and the permission question
The State contended that the CPI(M) had to seek the authorities’ permission because the land belongs to the Public Works Department (PWD). The petitioner’s allegation that a rival group was allowed to occupy the space has not been adjudicated, and no finding has been recorded on it.
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A uniform policy, and a report from the site
On stalls of this kind, the Court said, there should be a uniform policy. It added that, to satisfy its conscience, it would call for a report from the officer in charge on the position at the site, so that the stall question is dealt with evenly for all parties, not only for the petitioner.
Two claims over one spot
The hearing sets the State’s claim of a permission requirement for public land against the petitioner’s claim of a long-standing practice and unequal treatment.
By calling for a uniform policy, the Court has signalled that whatever rule applies to one group using the spot must apply to all.
The matter is at an interim stage and the Court has expressed no view on the final merits.
Case Title: CPI(M) v. State of West Bengal and Others (title and case number to be verified)
Bench: Calcutta High Court
Date of Hearing: October 14, 2026