One on the Maoists and Indian Government

Let me first imply that my knowledge on the Maoist issue is quite less but much better than the
normal urban dweller. I am not an expert and I do not know in and out of it. Now since that is out of the way...

Maoist movement started in 1967 as a Peasant movement to protect land rights. It gradually has expanded to the more wider proportions as now. Agreed, that except for Kerala, not many of the states have been very successful in implementing it. Agreed that even now there are many Adivasis and tribals who have no land for themselves to dwell and somehow have been suppressed to live a life which looks like they have no fundamental rights. Agreed that many innocents have been at the wrong end of the stick when it comes to some atrocities committed by the States armed forces. But I do not agree with the method of guerilla and armed warfare and extortionist approach towards resolving this issue.

Of course, the ASFPA Act is very unpopular and I am not a strong supporter of it. I commend Irom Sharmila for the non-violent protest for the last 10 years. Irom Sharmila has won over many prominent human rights activists just because of her steely resolve and the means with which she has tried to achieve it.

We all have our grievances with the Government and the system. No system or constitution is perfect but will always be a work in progress. For me to write this or Irom Sharmila to continue her protest or the Maosit sympathisers to come on national television and support the cause of current hostage situation of 4 cops in Bihar is an outstanding evidence the consitution is successful in providing us with freedom of speech and expression. That is the greatest gift of democracy.

As for the Maoists, the harm and terror inflicted among the poor people (for whom they fight for) is in itself a clear indication of how they can abuse any kind of power they would have. The women Maoist workers themselves have come out to expose the sexual and gender harrasment rendered within the groups. There is also a lot of nepotism within the ranks. The act of plotting against a country's government is war, but when done by their own nationals it is also called Treason. Then when mass-killings, landmines, extortions, hostages, etc. becomes the way of communication, it takes the form of terrorism. I do agree that there was a certain amount of reason and grievances which supported the activity during it's infancy but it is completely lost now. No educated and sensible Indian would now stand up for Maoists. Of course, the consitution of India cannot and should not be converted to a Marxist-Leninist society.

Now coming onto the Indian Government.It is very sad that Indian government has been running the nation with a relatively lesser kind of indifferent attitude as the British Governments of Pre-Independence era. Our founding fathers were great but thereafter the corruption and pessimism that has crept in is ridiculous. When it comes to growth and economy, it looks like an amazing success but take a deeper look and we still see abysmal infrastructure, poverty, lack of accessibility towards the fundamental rights for a large percentage of the population. India is shining when you look at the many cosmopolitan cities but when you look at the villages, therein lies the darkness. There is a lot of work here. I will leave that for another post.

Back to the Government and Maoists, Andhra Pradesh has done an amazing job in restraining Maoist activities there. YSR was a very tactful politician when it comes to this issue. What YSR did was to improve the infrastructure in the state especially with roads and modes of communication even to the innermost areas of the forest. This ensures that the so called abodes where the Maoists would live/hide was also accessible to the police. It certainly helped in better policing of the issue. That is why the state where there was a very high rate of Maoist activity post 2000 does not have any activity after 2009 or so. Now it has shifted to Orrisa and Bihar. I hope that the Government does go out of it's way to create a dialogue (although it looks like we are past that stage) with the Maoists. But if not, it should act soon and take the problem head-on. Pakistan and China can wait for now.

At the time of writing this post, 1 Bihar cop - Hawaldar Lukas Tete has been killed by the Maoists. The Maoists has warned that they will kill the remaining 3 if their demand of releasing 8 Maoist activists are not released by Indian Government from the prison. I might appear insensitive here - my heartiest condolences to the the grieving family and my heart goes out to the families of other cops - but looking at the bigger picture we should not negotiate with such acts of terrorism. If we release the prisoners now, it will set up a precedence.

Of course the situation is complicated and I do not have the answer here sitting in the comfort of my chair and security of my home. But I have the below questions for the Maoists and the Maoist sympathisers:
1.) What would you do if Indian Government also puts up a condition that they will start killing the 8 prisoners if the cops are not released back?
2.) Do you really believe that you would be able to make such protests, suggest the Indian Government to make negotiations and even have them aired in National television, get it printed in various national dailies if the Indian Government was formulised in the Marxist-Leninist stance?
3.) Do you really believe that Maoist activity would have even grown to such extents if the Indian Government was not a successful democracy and suppreses Human rights?

I really hope that the brave cops being held by the Maoists return to their homes, safe and sound. Now that maybe the 1st step towards resolution. The second step is for all these Maoist leaders to form a Political party and enter the elections. Contest for votes and if elected, please provide all that you say you are fighting for to the people you say you are fighting for.