Socialism and capitalism has been always two polar ideologies. Many great philosophies have been conceptualized, to prove one theory superior to other. India has seen both philosophies working in tandem, only due to uncertainties about which model to follow, during its six decades of independence. Indian constitution states India a “Socialist” country, but Indian policies have always defended an economic model, though not fully, based on capitalist counterparts. Surely after independence, it was advisable to increase the foreign investment in the country and build up the globalised environment to survive in this highly competitive world. But at the same time government was directly accountable to fulfill the requirement of the oppressed mass, which was not even able to make the two ends meet. Government policies made good promises but failed abysmally. Naxalism is the byproducts of these government policies only. Delhi was too far to hear the poor crying of those hapless people, buried far below in the swamp of the corruption and greediness of some individuals, striving for their survival.
And when it was unbearable for those oppressed ones, they did what they had already done against English but this time at the receiving end was their own country, which by no means other than constitutional had any chord connected to them. Naxalism was born to defend themselves at any cost, no non-violence or love preaching. And soon it grew, grew so fast and gigantically that government was taken aback. We can see many reasons why government failed in containing this outlawed moment. Firstly the momentum with which it firmed up itself was so high that government was unable to formulate any concrete policy against it, quickly. Secondly and more accepted reason is that government never tried to understand the problem, and emphasized on solving it forcefully. This action of government proved fatal. More and more people supported these people physically, economically, spiritually in whatsoever manner possible. Naxalism would have not been turned into a genie out of lamp, had government worked out on the policies clearly understanding and dismantling their support structure.
21st century seems to be a special resolution millennium for Naxalites, as war against the government has been scaled up suddenly. Many leaders who have been arrested by government, revealed how they are planning to fan out their organization in urban India also. Clearly they have a bigger agenda than only opposing the government. But Government looks ready to take this menace head on and has been very active throughout previous year. Special Forces have been deployed in the afflicted areas. Packages of developments have been implemented in those areas. Certainly very much is being done, but more is needed to be done to win the confidence of the people which for decades have known nothing of Indian governance.
I am no protagonist of naxalism and advocate of their violent strategies. When you are fighting as savior of the common man, how can you justify the killing of common military man who is nothing but doing his duty, to earn a livelihood for his dependents? Atrocities by a few people cannot be made base for punishment of the whole associated mass with that group; and this argument is used by the Naxalites itself for defending the poor villagers against the government militia.
One thing which must be very clear to the Naxalites is that they cannot withstand against a sovereign country like India, at any front. Ambushing one paramilitary force company or derailing one passenger train will no way weaken a nation, and surely they are going to lose this military and fire power battle. They can seek example from the LITTE itself. Naxalites forces are no match to the LITTE. Be it organizational structure, military power, support from overseas, at all fronts Naxalites forces will be no match to LITTE. And overall Indian Government is much more capable of fighting, with 3rd largest army in the world, than its counterpart Sri Lanka. When LITTE could not withstand a powerful blow from the government, how they think can they?
May be they think that their structure is quite different from the LITTE and this is the advantage for them. While LITTE personal wore clear identity of being the LITTE militia and were outlawed by the Sri Lankan sate, Naxalites forces boast of having perpetrated deep inside the civil society and having their supporters almost at every social strata. While LITTE fought a war of race, Naxalites started their war on ideologies. Even some influential personalities are supporter of Naxalism and fiercely oppose the use of muscle power by government against them. But it is for sure that violent behavior shown by the Naxalites during recent years is going to change the mindset of most of their supporters. So one advantage Naxalites thought they were having is surely going out of their hand by their own actions.
Not so early, but government has acknowledged its blunders. After every muscle power effort failed to contain the naxalism, government has finally realized the change required in the course of action. Poverty, hunger, illiteracy and rare presence of the state machinery have been major cause for the flourishing of these Naxalites in isolated zones of country. People who get nothing from the state machinery turn towards other patriarchs i.e. Naxalites. These patriarchs in exchange of meals and clothes get the unshakable support and regard from them. Government has become proactive in all naxalism affected areas and making its presence felt. Schools are opening; PDS are being implemented like never before, jobs have been generated.
I am sure that to turn towards naxalism is last and toughest rather than first and simplest option for any person or group of person. And when they will be provided at least the same as they are being provided by the Naxalites group, they will contemplate on living a stable, smooth and fear free life. Fear of being picked up by Naxalites for being a police informer or vice versa. They will love to live like an Indian, and love to say that I proud to be an Indian.
