Thursday, April 15, 2010

On Naxalism

- Folks, today we will talk about Naxalism. Are you interested?

- Yes Sir.

- Fine. Let's start. In your opinion, what do you think Naxalism is?

- Naxalism is, apart from things that neither matter nor makes sense, killing obscure people in obscure places with a unique stamp of barbarity.

- What doesn't matter? What doesn't make sense?

- What they think doesn't matter and what they do doesn't make much sense. As a class struggle, Naxalism contradicts itself. Let me draw an interesting parallel.

A few months back Raj Thakare spawned venom against Biharis. Biharis in turn retaliated by vanadalizing railway tracks and trains coming from/going to Mumbai. What made this rather grim issue ridiculous is their failing to realize a simple fact - that only Biharis travel in these trains, Marathis don't.

- You mean to say that it is foolish to kill fellow proletariat to fight against bourgeoisie.

- Rather ridiculous, and pathetic.

- OK. In the wake of the Dantewada massacre, I am sure you will support the popular demand of launching the severest possible crackdown against the Naxalites.

- On the contrary.

- Why?

- Because effect must not be confused with cause; effect is not cause, it is effected by cause.

In this context, Naxalism is mere effect, not the cause. The cause is something else. It is naive to think that Naxalism will finish with the Naxalites. Clipping the leaves won't kill the plant.

- It did kill the plant in Punjab.

- Well, this plant is not ideological, it is rooted deeper in soil. Remember - there is no Naxalism in metros.

- I will take you point. Go ahead.

- To understand Naxalism, we have to be ready to change our vantage point to see the other version of the story. Also, we have to define the words that we use.

If Naxalism is seen as internal terrorism, it's simple. And simplistic.

But if it is seen as a war against the spirit of law, I have reasons to believe that what we call Naxalism is just one type of Naxalism - let's call it rural-Naxalism. There exists its binary opposite - urban-Naxalism, which is found in metros. However, the influential law-breakers sit in parliament, others are branded as Naxals.

Putting crudely, whereas the former is Jhatka, the latter is Halaal. Both kill, the difference is that the Halaal kills coldly and slowly, and it is permitted in books. Also, whereas the former is sensational and spectacular, the latter is subtle and sophisticated. Whereas the former's effectiveness lies in making noise, the latter's efficacy depends on maintaining a clinical silence. But in spirit, both are essentially the same. And as far as cause and effect is considered, I am sure that the latter is the cause. Delhi is the headquarter of Naxalism.

- That's extraordinary. You are saying that the real Naxalites sit in Delhi!

- Of course. And in other parts of India, which is a collection of discrete "comfortably numb" islands of swimming pools and "Rain Dance" in the vast desert of drought and thirst called Bharat.

- So, what do you think should be done?

- To begin with, Bisleri should be banned. Those who steal and subsequently sell people's property in market should be put behind bars. Selling water is understandable as unorganized crime but not as institutionalized business. After all, you do not grow water. It is a crime to systematically deprive people of their most fundamental right - natural resources. This whole thing reeks of connivance, and conspiracy against people.

The people should be given what they deserve as citizens - not as charity and welfare programs but as their long overdue fundamental right.

Bharat has been paying dearly for the games India play. Delhi spends more in cosmetics than entire North-East spends in education and health. Dams are built in villages and power is wired to cities for their "Rain Dance". And the dispossessed people of Bharat are left to stand in scorching sun begging on India's red-lights. This has to change.

- Because disparity causes discontent.

- Not just disparity, but the remorseless show-off of it. Why do you think farmers commit suicide in Andhra but not in neighboring Orissa?

- But does that vindicate violence?

- That is violence, though of halaal type. Thanks to jhatka we are even talking about the victims of violence. Though these idiots have been killing animals of their own type, the urgency of the matter is being realized.

Democracy is based on a possibility of rebellion. The ruling class must not be made to be complacent and indifferent to people. The earliest symbol of people's will - Guillotine - must be installed outside a parliament as a reminder.

- Instead, the parliament is planning to initiate an full-fledged assault on the Naxalite bastions. Perhaps armed forces will be deployed to counterstrike them.

- There has been a perpetual conflict between those who want Justice/change and those who want Peace/status quo. However, decisions like this would further vindicate the Naxalites' propaganda. The state will further alienate itself from people.

This is a sorry situation. First brand them all mad, and then shoot them all.

I will conclude with a these two lines -

पहले तो होश छीन लिए ज़ुल्म-ओ-सितम से,
दीवानगी का फिर हमें इलज़ाम दिया है