Admired by liberals, this top Maoist 'failed' to distance himself from Left-sectarianiam

By Harsh Thakor*
An astute Maoist, Raj Kishore, who died at the age of 89 on December 22 in Champaran, Bihar, after battling illness since 2014, may not have distanced himself from left sectarianism with regard to building broad based democratic mass movement and mass organisations and left adventurist military line. However, his work for the liberation of the masses was admired by diverse sections, including liberals.
Tears literally flow in my eyes when I recount the moments I spent with him. I can never forget his warm heart and grit on his face. He persuaded me not to be diverted by spiritualism, stressing that revolution was the only true road towards liberation. I can't forget the affectation he showed towards me at the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) Conference in Hyderabad years ago, giving me a five copies of the RDF organ of and stating 'Aap bahut acche ho.'
Today RDF is unofficially banned in India and formally banned in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Telengana, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. With its back broken, it is in a shambles, though its constituents are still active in Kerala and Punjab.
I first met Raj Kishore at the All India Peoples Resistance Forum rally protesting 9/11 in October 2001, in Patna. At that time he was the Bihar leader of the Struggling Forum for Peoples Resistance and editor of magazine "Jan Jwar". Also editor of "Jan Pratirodh", he would publish many an article condemning Brahmanical fascism.
One who sowed the seeds revolutionary cultural movement in Bihar through the Krantikari Budhijibi Sangh, some of the finest writings by intellectuals were produced under Raj Kishore's tutelage, projecting how the peasantry was entrapped by the forces of semi-feudalism and caste hierarchy and how women were still enslaved. Plays were written portraying how medieval landlordism was still an integral part of the sytem and projecting how the Chinese revolution and Mao thought was still relevant.
He was one of the major architects of the All India League for Revolutionary Culture in 1983 in Delhi. Here mass organizations belonging to the trends of the CPI(ML), Peoples War and the Maoist Communist Centre came together. Those participating included Varavara Rao, a veteran poet and revolutionary, who was sought to be implicated in the infamous Bhima Koregaon case, and was a political prisoner since 2018, though granted unconditional bail recently.
Unlike many other Maoists, Raj Kishore defended Stalin tooth as also the Chinese revolution, its achievements, the Chinese Red army and Mao's teachings. One who also disseminated the teachings of Marx and Lenin, he inspired the formation of the Revolutionary Students' League, the first students' organisation in Bihar which emulated the line of the Andhra Pradesh Radical Students' Union.
In 2005, after the formation of RDF with the merger of the All India People's Resistance Forum and the Struggling Forum for People's Resistance, he was appointed secretary of the newly formed organisation. He formed part of the all-India commitee for the release of political prisoners, headed by Amit Bhattachrya and late Gursharan Singh.
His leadership turned a spark into a prairie fire in waging protests against the repression unleashed by the commando forces, particularly in West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh.He played an important role in public meetings staged to condemn the killing of Azaad in 2010 and Kishanji in 2011.
An astute defender of Maoism amongst cultural leaders and intellectuals, some well known names, Varavara Rao, Venugopal Rao, MN Ravunni, Vernon Gonsalves, Shoma and Arun Fereira of Maharashtra, many of them accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, held him in high esteem.
---
*Freelance journalist based in Mumbai

Comments

TU activist Anirudh Rajan, lawyer Ajay Kumar in custody: Wounded reputation of world's largest democracy?

By Vedika S* Over the last few days, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), known to be tasked with suppressing revolutionary, democratic, and progressive forces, conducted a series of raids across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Targets included human rights attorney Pankaj Tripathi, student leader Devendra Azad, and peasant union leader Sukhwinder Kaur. Lawyer and anti-displacement activist Ajay Kumar was arrested and taken to his home in Mohali, which was subsequently raided. He is now imprisoned in Lucknow as a suspect in the NIA's "Northern Regional Bureau (NRB) Revival case."

RG Kar saga: Towards liberation from the constraints of rigid political parties?

By Atanu Roy* There's a saying: "There is no such thing as a half-pregnancy." This adage seems particularly relevant when discussing the current regime of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party appears to be entrenched in widespread corruption that affects nearly every aspect of our lives. One must wonder, why would they exclude the health sector—a lucrative area where illicit money can flow freely, thanks to a network of corrupt leaders colluding with ambitious bureaucrats?

India's 55.6% still can't afford healthy diet, yet food wastage a serious issue

By Vikas Meshram According to this year's 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World' report, India has the highest number of malnourished people in the world, with a staggering 195 million affected. This report, prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, was published jointly by five UN agencies, including UNICEF. The report also highlights a slight improvement in India's statistics: between 2004-06, the number of malnourished people in the country was 240 million.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Unwavering source of ideological inspiration in politics, life: Personal tribute to Yechury

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak Sitaram Yechury was everyone's comrade. He lived his life in public like an open book of praxis. Everyone was familiar with his family background, student life, many talents, achievements, and political journey that defines his everyday life as a committed communist.

Trailblazer in literary innovation, critic of Indian mythology, including Ramayana

By Harsh Thakor* Ranganayakamma, commonly known as RN, stands out as a transformative figure in promoting Marxist thought, democratic ideals, and anti-caste principles through her remarkably clear and engaging writing style. A trailblazer in literary innovation, her works span a broad array of topics, from critiques of Indian mythology and revivalism to discussions on civil liberties, the Indian Communist Movement, and Maoism in China.

'Abduction' of labour activist Anirudh Rajan part of a 'troubling trend': CASR

By Our Representative The civil rights network Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has issued a strong denunciation of the "abduction" of labour rights activist Anirudh Rajan, who was taken by state authorities on September 5, 2024, while traveling to meet his family. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and various state forces have increasingly targeted trade union and democratic rights activists over the past year.

'Void in Leftist landscape': Loss of Sitaram Yechury who had helped form INDIA bloc

By Vikas Meshram* The passing of Sitaram Yechury has cast a profound stillness over leftist organizations across India. Renowned as a distinguished politician, columnist, economist, and social activist, Yechury was a staunch advocate for student rights and movements. His leadership skills became apparent early in his academic career, as he was elected three times as the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Yechury also endured imprisonment during the Emergency period, underscoring his commitment to political activism.

'300 Nazis fell by your gun': Most successful female sniper in history

By Harsh Thakor* "Miss Pavlichenko’s well known to fame, Russia’s your country, fighting is your game. The whole world will always love you for all time to come, Three hundred Nazis fell by your gun." — from Woody Guthrie's “Miss Pavlichenko"

Search This Blog