Buyer footfall dips as protest reaches crescendo in Boipara
Times of India | 5 September 2024
Kolkata: One of the biggest book markets in the country has turned into a paradise for protesters but business at Boipara on College Street has nosedived as protests reached a crescendo in the aftermath of the Aug 9 rape-and-murder of a PGT doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Since Aug 10, there have been protest rallies every day — with multiple rallies throughout the day at times — originating from College Street and walking towards either RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Nabbana, Lalbazar or Esplanade.The rallies have been throwing traffic in the area out of gear, dealing a major blow to the book trade in Boipara. On Aug 29, there were three different rallies either originating or culminating on College Street at 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm and 4 pm.
According to unions of book sellers in the area, business has dipped by almost 80%.
“Parents are scared to bring their children to buy books. Others are too scared to let their teenage children come to College Street due to the protests. For the past three weeks, business has been down by almost 80%-90%,” said Pratap Das, secretary of Sir Ashutosh Booksellers’ Association.
Boipara, the nucleus of the Bengal Renaissance famous for its books, brew and heritage institutions like Calcutta University, Presidency University, Indian Coffee House and Medical College and Hospital (the first general higher education institute and first medical college in India) and Swadhin Bharat Hindu Hotel, is synonymous with students and has emerged as a protest point during various movements.
“All of us demand justice for the PGT doctor and we have also participated in several protests. But you can’t imagine the condition of business if there are three rallies throughout the day. On many days, we are not able to make a single sale. Millions of livelihoods are dependent on the book trade,” said Sumit Pandit of Paradise Book Stall adjacent to Presidency University.
Customers at Boipara comprise children, young adults fresh into college or university, and teachers. A majority are now staying away from the area fearing traffic snarls and unrest due to protests and blockades.“We also have a large number of customers coming from the suburbs and the districts. But they have stopped coming for the time being,” said Sudhangshu Dey of Dey’s Publishing and president of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild.