Kolkata book fair cancelled, symbolic fair held

BOOK BUSTERS: The symbolic Kolkata book fair was inaugurated at the Town Hall after the actual book fair was cancelled.

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Kolkata: Book-lovers are sad and angry following the Calcutta High Court's cancellation of the 33rd Kolkata Book Fair on environmental grounds. However, a symbolic fair was inaugurated in the city's Town Hall on Tuesday night, high on polemics but sans books.

The symbolic book fair was inaugurated in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya at the Town Hall to salvage a semblance of prestige before the foreign delegates.

But the ire of the city's political guardians against the judges was apparent.

While the chief minister juggled his words, Kolkata Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya was more open, and said: "The dust particles have gone into the head (of the judges)."

The chief minister was no less sarcastic. "I have no idea how can books cause pollution. We have to find a way out. It is as if a war has been waged against books," he said.

Litterateur Sunil Gangopadhayay, known for his proximity with the chief minister, said: "We want the book fair back in Kolkata's Maidan (from where it had to make an exit last year after a court ruling)."

"Lots of people will suffer because of the verdict. This is not justice. I cannot support a system that has stopped the fair which is such an important event in the life of Kolkata," said Gangopadhyay.

"I am sure publishers must have planned hundreds of launches this year. We are shamed since a lot of foreign guests were either on their way or have arrived," he said.

The decision of the Calcutta High Court has given a body blow to the Publishers and Booksellers Guild. But the residents and academic institutions around Park Circus ground where the fair was planned heaved a sigh of relief.

The book fair stood cancelled with the court Monday ruling against the organisers' decision to hold it in the Park Circus ground, which is surrounded by schools, colleges, hospitals and residential quarters.

A division bench of Chief Justice Nijjar and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh, after hearing petitions filed by residents challenging the legality of holding the fair, ruled against the Guild.

The verdict said the "The Guild cannot hold the book fair at Park Circus Maidan as it is in violation of environmental laws, noise pollution laws and constitutional rights (Articles 14 and 21) besides violation of the KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) Act".

"Some people may benefit from this order but it is a tremendous blow to the city's image. If pollution is the factor, then the high court should also be closed down going by the vehicular pollution around the area," mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said.