Gdpi Wat primer topic – Naxalite

Gdpi Wat primer topic – Naxalite who they are and what they want. To tackle this extremely complicated issue, it would be worthwhile to delve into history and trace it back to the origins of the movement. The Naxalbari uprising and conflicts Kanu Santhal and Jagan Sanyal, leaders of CPI (Marxist) organized an armed uprising against landlords of Naxalbari, a town in West Bengal. The objective of their fight was rightful re-distribution of land to working peasants. This which was controlled by landlords for generations. The uprising culminated in killing of policeman who was supposed to arrest peasant leaders. CPI-M, which was by now part of ruling state government, distanced itself from attack. The leaders softened their stand and party member who had participated in uprising and its sympathizers were expelled. State government, backed by the center cracked down on the uprising. Allegedly, many atrocities were committed while silencing the opposition. The movement, which had began to demand land, became a bitter showdown between government and leftists. Gradually, the movement found traction among landless poor of the rural regions like Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Bihar. Due to activists like Charu Mujumdar, even urban elites were attracted to the movement. Several armed uprisings followed which were initiated to exterminate landlords. Various factions, along with expelled CPI-M leaders coalesced to form CPI (Marxist-Leninist) [CPIML]. CPIML could be seen as origin, from which virtually all the Naxalite groups have emerged. The Naxalism became mainstream after CPIML. Roots of the unrest Oppressed population, including tribes and rural dalits, wanted their share of land which was denied to them for generations. Left wing parties had been trying to channelize the demands to organize peasant uprising, inspired by Mao’s Chinese adventure, to ‘overthrow the elitist rule’. 2500 villages in Telangan had formed a commune in 1946 to achieve the same objective. Specifically to tackle this issue, 5th and 9th schedules were inserted in the constitution of India. 5th schedule speaks of protection of forest land inhabited by tribes. A governor is supposed to appoint a tribal committee which would be responsible for land distribution. 9th schedule dictates state to acquire land owned by elites for hundreds of years and re-distributing it among working peasants. Shockingly, not a single governor has formed a tribal committee to regulate forest land. Only three states (J&K, WB & Kerala) have implemented land ceiling laws stipulated by schedule 9, two of them were under communist governments. The laws still remain obscured in labyrinths of administration, waiting for implementation and the the wait is agonizing. This is the key to the Naxalism issue. Landless farmers and peasants feel cheated for being denied cultivable lands on which they toiled for a pittance. Naxalite groups have systematically capitalized on this resentment. The tribesmen, already isolated due to pathetic infrastructure, are being systematically turned against the democratic system in favor of a communist regime. Naxalism Today According to RAW, Naxalism is the biggest internal security threat to India. Home Secretary GK Pillaihas stated the objective of Naxal movement is overthrowing Indian democratic system by 2050. Increasing military expertise shown by naxalites is indeed alarming. Heavy casualties suffered by army at Dantewada provide a haunting testimony to their preparedness. There are several attacks and counter-attacks ongoing between armed forces and naxalites. Slowly, few factions of uprising are turning towards politics. However, the general approach from both the sides is of distrust. Naxalism has 50 years of bloody history. Both the sides have made sensational claims about wrongdoings of the other side. The prolonged struggle has started a vicious cycle of distrust and attacks. Unless the circle breaks, the possibilities of a mutually acceptable solution is bleak. So what do they really want? Frankly, what the naxal leaders want is of little importance. There are far too many factions and huge difference of opinions among them. What really should be asked is, what forces poor people to raise guns? The people in Naxalite zone want exactly the same things we want. Basic amenities, infrastructure and opportunities to grow. We have to accept one fact, they have been denied their fair share for generations. Forests which should have been regulated by their consent are indiscriminately exploited by industrial lobby, with backing of government. The land which constitution grants them is still owned by a select few. Add to this, utter lack of a sigle modern facility. They live in our country but worlds separate them from us. All they want is living in the same world in which we live. Everything else above that is a result of politics and personal ambitions.