Naxal activities has grown in part because criminal politiicans have been funding, supporting and using them as hatchetmen against their political rivals. The other part is the terrible conditions so many people have to contend with just to eke out a miserable existence, especially lack of opportunity. Access to basics like education, health and housing are non-existent, not mention capital. The chauvinism of the uppercastes are the also root cause of the resentment, yet these groups have historically been able to commit atricities against the impoverished lower castes with total impunity. All these issues must be addressed in order to ameliorate the alarming situation.
I perfectly agree with Prafful in understanding the issue of naxalism. Naxalites is a value based group. The state is not serious at all and state's good intentions end in sloganeering. Rs. 2000 crores is set aside for 'armaments' to tackle naxalism and petty Rs.180 crores for socio-economic development! Why not the reverse if the state believes that it is a socio-economic problem. Violence breeds violence. Besides, the state does not want to understand the message that the naxalite movement is trying to say, but is busy in eliminating them for saying that. The land reforms, employment, feudal oppression, tribals thrown out in the name of development/mining/dams etc., the gross inequality that is promoted! Perhaps some kickbacks the politicians might also get as a share of Rs.2000 crore, who knows!?
MLA killed on Independence day was supposed to be a nice person with enough values. Reason behind his killing. He refused to share with Naxals the money he got from contractors of irrigation project in his constituency. Among those killed by Naxals, how many are really negative forces of society. As in any war/fight Naxals kill vulnerable targets and not right targets. Mr Bidwai, if you talk to somebody more knowledgable about naxal issue in andhra, you'll know that the character or movement changes from district to district , forget state to state. They have similar issues for which they blame the rest of society. Everybody says it's a complex socio economic issue to be dealth with compassion,... But nobody suggests concrete steps. Let us not have roads in forests, we want to preserve culture and let tribals die for trivial reasons like Malaria. It's surprising you didn't mention recent tribal uprising in Chattisgarh againest Naxals. It's good to take a stand, but not right to conveniently forget everything that doesn't fit our theory, Mr Bidwai.
The author presents only those facts that are convenient to him. Naxals in Andhra during discussions declared list of rich people who grabbed land in 1000s of acres. And who are these rich people? Most of them business guys. Is business conducted without land. Naxals don't want real estate business to exist. Is it practical? And what if those fancy figures are wrong? The damage to repuation of all those named in the list, can it be undone? Probably Govt cheated them during the whole process. But can any one deny that, naxals also took advantage of prevailing situation and increased their numbers and economic strength. Coming to various naxal groups all over India, the whole movement isn't a monolithic entity. Indeed there have been instances where they killed each other. Naxal problem is a socio economic problem. But to justify everything they do under the same pretext is an equal crime. Blasting a vehicle X feet vertically and Y feet horizonotally doesn't prove much, Mr Bidwai. Are we supposed to be scared by such statistics? How many of Naxal leaders really come from down trodden sections of society? How many great leaders of past surrenedered due to whatever reasons?.
though i normally dont agree with praful bidwai's ideas regarding nationalism etc, but still with regards his ideas on naxalism etc i must agree in a qualified way. yes, unless the underlying causes of naxalism are addressed it will be very difficult to end the menace. the problem is that many of the "vested interests" that the naxals are fighting against are primarily the politicians themselves whose greed is infinite. so little surprise that the common man starved of justice and fairplan, has no option but to resort to naxalism to fight for his rights. so honest intellectuals must necessarily try to understand the roots of naxalism and force the government to address such issues. but the story doesnt end there. there are other parties (often inimical to national interest) which mischevously support the naxalites as a means to subvert national interests. with rgds praful bidwai, we've to wonder where real his motives/interests lie.
