All’s fair in this war in the Maidan

Inaugurating the Fair last week, the environmental-friendly chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee took many by surprise when he said: ‘‘We would like the Book Fair to be held at the Maidan only, after having met the environmental guidelines. It’s been a part of the Kolkatan’s psyche and cultural ethos to have the Fair at its present venue.’’

This, after the state government acknowledged the need for having a permanent fair venue away from the heart of the city and principally agreed to make an investment to the tune of about Rs 45 crore towards setting up a permanent venue. The chief minister felt the sentiment for the Book Fair is too precious and should not be measured in terms of the investments being made at the new fair venue.

The chief minister’s announcement came despite a High Court order to shift the book lover’s annual event. Even the Army admitted the state government had promised to shift the fair venue from next year. ‘‘It’s a bit shocking to hear a different voice after all the deliberations we’ve had. The Army high command would have to thrash it out once again with the government,’’ said an official.

THE attempts, however, to hold the fair back at the Maidan appear more emotive than real. And apparently, it seems to be well orchestrated, too.

The chief minister was conveniently backed by Kolkata Mayor, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. In fact, the Mayor was more vociferous than the chief minister.

He declared: ‘‘Those who are saying that the book fair on the maidan will disturb the ecological balance should check their own balance.’’ But more ironic was role of a number of green environmentalists, who are usually so aggressive on such subjects. On this, they came to support the state government’s stand on this issue even if it meant sacrificing the well-being of the ‘‘city’s lungs’’.

More curious was the stand taken by the Left’s mightiest opposition— Trinamol Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. For two sides who always agreed to disagree on everything, it was indeed a change to see Banerjee agreeing with her rival on the maidan issue. ‘‘If the fair is shifted it will lose its charm and excitement,’’ she says.

The organisers of the book fair, the Publishers and Book Sellers Guild, have also found an ally in the general public and eminent intellectuals who say the very suggestion of a change in venue is disastrous, no matter how much the greens have to pay. One look at the trampling on the grass and the dust-filled air and you may beg to differ.

Some of the city’s top NGOs too are least perturbed with the environmental hazards. Banani Kakkar, of Public, says, ‘‘The Maidan is situated at the heart of the city and very close to all intellectual and cultural activities taking place in the city. If you take the book fair away to the new location then the essence of the fair will be lost. The city will lose all cultural events and will look desolate.’’

Tapan Gooptu, Concern for Calcutta, has a more ‘‘rigid’’ argument. ‘‘The new location is not well-connected with the city. The Maidan being the green nerve of the city is the best place to hold the book fair,’’ says Gooptu. But perhaps there is a well-thought agenda in opposing the shift than a mere emotional outpouring.

There might be a lurking fear, particularly among political outfits, that once the Book Fair goes from the Maidan, a ban on rallies will not be far behind.

The Maidan has always been the most convenient venue in Kolkata for holding political rallies and neither the left nor the right would want to part with that privilege.