End awaits Naxalite menace
The concept of Maoism has taken an ugly shape across the country, and turned into a catastrophe. However, howsoever serious the situation may have become, the tables are turning and we are inching towards a decisive phase in the history of India.
IT HAS breached all limits, and from a romantic armed struggle against tyrants, the Naxalite movement has turned into a pursuit of power for a handful of indifferent people. The entire concept of Maoism has taken an ugly shape across the country, and has, in fact, turned into a catastrophe. However, howsoever serious the situation may have become, the tables are turning and we are inching towards a decisive phase in the history of India. Killings across the eternally expanding ‘Red Corridor’ have not struck a cord with even the destitute villagers, who are considered to be the so-called ‘beneficiaries’ of this menace. Notwithstanding the fact that from an armed struggle to the government’s Achilles’ Heel, Naxalism has come a long way and has mustered the potency similar to that of any other terrorist outfit, operating against the state of India, the paradox of this vacuous movement lies in the fact that its support amongst the poor is turning into mass discontent, and is in a way uniting the oppressed sections with the Indian state, which seems to be the lesser of the two evils.
In an attempt to rout the government machinery across states, Naxalites have resorted to mass killings of policemen and army personnel. However, amidst the euphoria of this mindless mayhem, the cadres have forgotten the fact that a large chunk of those killed are the kith and kin of the same villagers, whose sympathy is the biggest strength for the ‘Men in Red’. By digging their heads in the sand on this issue, the Naxalites have only distanced themselves from their sympathizers and have committed a grave mistake. The heavy voter turnout in the beleaguered district of Gadchiroli during the recent assembly elections in Maharashtra is a testament.
After a little less than a decade of tolerating utterly naïve Home Ministers, we finally have an astute mind at the helm, which walks the talk. Mr. Chidambaram is proving his mettle yet again and his innovative methods of wooing the Naxals to surrender further solidify one’s trust in his exemplary intelligence and efficiency. Although they might sound a bit too soft and a bit too late, one can never discount the iron fist in his velvet glove. The 65-year old flexed his muscle quite effectively in Lalgarh and showed glimpses of the punishment that offenders are in for.
The transformation of sporadic violence into gory episodes of daily violence has also had its pulls on the political establishments across various states. As a result, the fodder provided to the opposition and its subsequent utilization to form cases against those incumbent will show its effects shortly. In fact, Budhadheb Bhattacharya’s act of defiance of the party’s policy of non-violence and the support extended to the Union Home Minister with regard to an armed coup against the Naxals in Lalgarh was a healthy signal in this context.
India might be within an ace of witnessing something special. The issue is too large and will spill out of hand, if not met promptly and efficiently. Governments have been put in a spot. The recent appeals to human rights activists send a clear signal that the establishment is in the mood to tango. Although violence of no kind can be condoned, this is a special situation which merits special measures. Eventually, it will only be unfortunate that the army will have to kill its own countrymen, but once again, we have waited long enough for minds to change and sadly, that has not happened.
The recent invitations for talks and negotiations might prove to be mere formalities in the end and in fact, may turn out be a nice way to buy time and exhaust all options before going all out with a ruthless campaign against the perpetrators of several merciless beheadings and executions. With the clock ticking, it is only a matter of time that red starts reining over the ‘Men in Red’.
.Nice post, but bents heavily on the "official"version. The naxals are fighting for a cause and i think its legitimate to represent their side as well. Nothing can justify violence, but the violence should end from both the ends. The debate is not for rights or land, its the idea of justice that is at stake. Shankar Guha Niyogi, Safdar Hashmi are few 'famous' state killed activists who strengthened the cause of the marginalised, thousands others who died because of salwa judum etc. Justice again, is the key word.
.Nice post, but bents heavily on the "official"version. The naxals are fighting for a cause and i think its legitimate to represent their side as well. Nothing can justify violence, but the violence should end from both the ends. The debate is not for rights or land, its the idea of justice that is at stake. Shankar Guha Niyogi, Safdar Hashmi are few 'famous' state killed activists who strengthened the cause of the marginalised, thousands others who died because of salwa judum etc. Justice again, is the key word.
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