Cancellation of Kolkata book fair: SC issues notices

The Kolkata High Court’s decision of cancelling the world’s largest non-trade book fair on environmental grounds came under the scanner..

The Kolkata High Court’s decision of cancelling the world’s largest non-trade book fair on environmental grounds came under the scanner of the Supreme Court on Friday, which sought response from the people who were against holding the fair in the heart of the city citing their inconvenience and environmental damage.

Acting on an appeal filed by the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, a Bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan issued notices and sought to know why the annual book fair in the city’s central hub of Park Circus Maidan could not be organised.

Senior advocate L Nageshwar Rao, appearing for the Guild, said the Maidan had been the venue of the book fair for the last 30 years and it was unfair to stop it. If Durga Puja, Kali Puja and other festivals were allowed at the parks and maidans across the city, why a book fair could not be permitted.

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Cancelling the event just two days before it was to commence, the HC in its decision dated January 28, 2008 had held that organising the book fair at the Maidan was in violation of environmental norms infringing upon the fundamental rights of the citizens. The fair was shifted from Park Circus Maidan to Salt Lake area.

The organisers of the fair, Publishers and Booksellers Guild, challenged the decision of the HC which had also directed it to restore the park to its original state and hand over its possession to Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

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