Naxalite Movement – Literati support
There are sections in the well-off society and the literati too, who are of the opinion that today’s hazard is a result of yesterday’s neglect and indifference shown by the government and people in power and position towards the welfare of people of the poorer sections, especially in the rural and tribal areas and this is due to the conviction that only the pick of the bunch gets to taste the fruit of economic and social development. And the needy are deprived of their independence to earn a healthy happy and prosperous life.
The movement has gained a lot of support and sympathy from a section of educated Indians. One of the most vocal supporters is Booker Prize-winning author and activist Arundhati Roy. She had, on June 3, said she did not support violence but believed that the Naxalites had no other option but to rebel against the State. “The Naxalite movement could be nothing but an armed struggle. I am not supporting violence. But I am also completely against contemptuous atrocities-based political analysis,” she said, while delivering a lecture on ‘The War on People’, organized by the Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights in Mumbai.
“It is imperative that massive development takes place. Look at them! Doesn’t the look in the eyes express they have been dispossessed and deprived for decades?” questioned an octogenarian retired professor of English. “What have been the government doing? Isn’t the administration to blame? Why do these tribals have so much to complaint about?”
Any violent and militant movement has its own price and toll on the society and economy. Scores of innocent police officers and army personnel have been killed by the Maoists. Young children are also drawn in to this and are being trained to carry weapons and to kill. There are many reports of corruptions, cases of extortions among some of these groups and their leaders as well. Naxals also have attacked trains and public facilities which causes loss of property and live and misery of the common people.
While the very fact that people of a democratic country will have resort to arms struggle is most unfortunate, the leadership of the country must find urgent solutions to this unrest; instead of using only force as a solution may back fire in long run, rather a long term development program for the upliftment of the neglected population and punishing corrupt leaders and government officials who are ultimately responsible will bring these people back to normal life. After all, India is a land of freedom and democracy, pluralism in thought and practice, but it does not have place for authoritarian or dictatorial ideologies and powers.
N.B.: The views expressed here are of the writer and do not necessarily express NGI’s opinions and belief
