The Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security held in Delhi on April 15, while discussing the Naxal problem, decided to pursue a holistic multi-pronged approach. A high level committee headed by the Union Home Minister and comprising Chief Ministers of the nine Naxal affected states was formed. It was concluded that Naxalism was not merely a law and order problem and that it required an integrated approach with rapid developmental activities, land reforms and restoration of forest land rights to tribals. At the same time, it was strongly conveyed that Naxal violence shall not be tolerated.
So far so good. The crucial point is how much of development really takes place, how much of the earmarked funds are properly utilised or are they in fact siphoned off by a corrupt administrative machinery. On peace talks with the Naxals, there is ambivalence. The Home Minister said that the states are free to pursue their own agenda. The Centre is still not clear on the fundamentals – that it is an all India problem and that an all India policy is needed.
The result of all this confusion and tardiness in uplifting deprived sections is that the Naxalite movement continues to spread in ever widening circles. Even according to conservative official estimates, at least 125 districts in twelve states are affected by Naxalite violence in varying degrees while another 24 districts are being targeted by Naxalite outfits. Law enforcement agencies have been going hammer and tongs against Naxal groups for the last nearly forty years except for brief interludes of peace parleys. There were no doubt significant successes. The movement suffered setbacks at different periods, but like a phoenix it always rose again, adding ranks as well as firepower. Today, security experts consider it the greatest threat to India’s internal security.
The Naxal movement is irrepressible because it draws sustenance from the grievances of the people which have not be addressed by the government; some grievances have become worse. Regarding land reforms, even the Tenth Five Year Plan document admits, ‘‘the record of most states in implementing the existing laws is dismal’’. SR Sankaran, who was Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, provides interesting comparisons. In China, according to him, 43 percent of agricultural land was redistributed while the corresponding figure for Taiwan is 37 percent, South Korea 32 percent, Japan 33 percent and for India it is only a pathetic 1.25 percent. We have the largest tribal population in the world but, as pointed out by the Expert Group on Prevention of Alienation of Tribal land and its Restoration, land belonging to tribal people is being alienated in all states despite so-called protective legislation. The tribals, as a consequence, are ‘‘totally exhausted, impoverished and traumatised’’. There are socio-economic issues which demand remedial measures: poverty, unemployment, corruption and governance. The record in tackling them is far from satisfactory and deployment of paramilitary forces has not made much of a dent. Because the root causes of Naxalism remain, the fire continues to rage.
Our political leadership is being progressively hijacked by the manipulators of caste and community, people playing vote banks, exploiting regional sentiments, and criminals who have developed influential clientele. Individuals like Manmohan Singh are, in Arnold’s words, ‘‘beautiful angels beating their luminous wings in the void in vain’’. The garbage will have to be cleared. The Election Commission or the criminal justice system appear incapable. Only the Naxals seem to have solutions. Drastic, surgical measures are needed, if not a revolution. Therein lies the relevance of Naxalbari. As far back as 1975, touring the Naxalite-affected areas of Bhojpur Bihar, Jaya Prakash Narayan exhorted the people to shun violence and work for ‘total revolution’. He said, ‘‘If in five years from now nothing changes, I will not ask you to give up Naxalism’’. It is thirty years since then – and things are much worse today not only in Bihar but several other parts of the country. There are islands of affluence but a huge mass of humanity – as big as the combined populations of UK, France, Germany and Italy – still lives below the poverty line.
Conversely, if the Naxalite movement wants to play a positive role, it will have to shed its ideological aberrations and jettison casteist and lumpen elements who have jumped onto its bandwagon. The definition of ‘class enemies’ should be reviewed. It must include those corrupt elements who pilfer or divert funds meant to uplift the poor, mafia dons and anti-nationals who are systematically weakening the country. Links with the ISI, if any, will have to be severed. The Naxals would do well to remember that Mao was an ultra-nationalist and that he dealt a strong hand to any group seeking secession. Are the Naxals prepared for this metamorphosis? If yes, they will get overwhelming support from the people. If not, they will continue to be hounded by security forces and there’ll be unnecessary suffering all around. The ‘democratic revolution’ will remain a mirage.
The writer is a former BSF chief and has authored the book, ‘Naxalite Movement’
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