What does it take to destroy a book?
Books encourage debate, discussion and the advancement of culture. They do not discriminate on the basis of background, ideology, culture or political belief. Books welcome everyone, even those who disagree with them. Disagreement should be met with ideas, not destruction. Books do not deserve to be burned.
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
DEEPUNGSU PANDIT
10/19/20262 min read
Have you ever wondered how much work goes into creating something? Something like a book, for instance?
It all begins with an idea that you believe is worthy of sharing with the world. A thought that, with the right nourishment, spreads its wings and prepares to fly. Something deeply personal, something precious.
But that is only the beginning.
For the spark to turn into a full-fledged flame takes the effort of many people. And finally, when the author is content with having turned that precious idea into pages, they feel brave enough to face the world. They hope for love and appreciation of their work, but also prepare themselves for criticism, disapproval and condemnation.
But do they ever prepare to see their life's work defaced, mutilated, humiliated and burnt? Does a bookstall deserve to be burnt?
A bookstall is not just a shop selling books. For many of us, it represents nostalgia. It represents the place where we discovered our favourite authors and fell in love with reading. Across generations, bookstalls have remained places where such sentiments endure, where the possibilities are endless, and where a little child can begin their journey into the world of books.
For the average Bengali, Durga Puja and books share a deep connection, one that is also evident in the tradition of Puja Barshikis — the special annual literary publications released around the festive season. Books encourage debate, discussion and the advancement of culture. They do not discriminate on the basis of background, ideology, culture or political belief.
Books welcome everyone.
As a book lover myself, there are many books I do not like. Some I have read and found uninteresting. Some I have struggled to finish. Some I have hated for various reasons. Perhaps it was the idea, the approach or even the language that put me off.
But they remain safe on my bookshelf, perhaps never to be opened again. They have not been defaced or mutilated. Burning them has never even crossed my mind.
What does it take to destroy a book? What does it take to tear down bookstalls simply because they represent an idea you do not like?
There are books I have never bought because I have no interest in reading them. I have come across them in shops and stalls across the country, yet never felt the urge to burn them. I have simply walked past them and moved on to the books I love.
That is how I expect a mature society to function. An idea should be challenged with another idea. If you believe a book is wrong, show the world a better book.
I grew up surrounded by books, in a society that appreciated and loved them. Holding my father’s hand, I walked into bookstores and browsed through bookstalls, finding a peculiar sense of peace in the musty smell of old books. It is a tradition I am now trying to pass on to my son, hoping and believing that the love of books runs in the family.
I hope that, in the days to come, books receive the respect and love they deserve. After all, ideas scribbled across pages have the power to make the world a better place.
So, the next time you feel like destroying a bookstall, remember the effort that went into setting it up. Someone has spent time collecting those books. Someone has taken the trouble to arrange them and make them available to readers. And somewhere, someone else might be looking forward to visiting that very stall, hoping to find a book that speaks to them.
If you do not like what those books represent, say so. Challenge their ideas. Tell the world why you disagree.
But do not burn books. They have done nothing wrong.