Perceived Maoist threat an assault on 'existence of Bastar's Adivasi population, claims journal

By Harsh Thakor* 

On September 23, 2024, Nazariya Magazine held a press conference at the Press Club of India in New Delhi to announce the release of its fourth issue, titled “Stop War on the People in Bastar.” In a bold initiative, Nazariya is taking a stand against the state's neo-fascist campaign targeting the people of Bastar. 

The latest issue articulately outlines how Operation Kagar is not merely an attempt to neutralize a perceived ‘Maoist threat’ but represents a significant assault on the very existence of Bastar's Adivasi population. It critically examines the model of militarization, displacement, and corporate exploitation designed to subjugate local communities to corporate interests. 

The magazine highlights the Adivasis' courageous struggle for their rights to land, water, and forests, as they face violent repression from the state while fighting to reclaim their lives. Additionally, the publication explores how grassroots movements are establishing a form of people’s democracy through alternative governance structures that contrast sharply with the state's flawed democratic processes. It portrays the emergence of ‘people's governments’ as a more authentic form of democracy. 

One of the issues discussed is the Surajkund scheme, which controversially approved the use of drones to drop aerial bombs, aimed at quelling farmers' resistance at the borders. 

Damodar Turi, an anti-displacement activist and convenor of the Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan, addressed the critical issues of displacement and corporatization. He detailed the long history of displacement in resource-rich regions like Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar, which dates back to the British colonial era. 

Turi emphasized that the plundering of land and resources for corporate and industrial development has led to the widespread migration of local populations to urban areas, where they face severe exploitation. He pointed out that, despite the immense funds funneled into industrial development, Adivasis continue to lack basic necessities like healthcare, education, and sanitation, highlighting the failure of the state’s development model. 

Professor Sachin N, a member of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association, discussed the manipulative use of terms like “urban naxal” to stifle dissent, even within parliamentary structures. He commended Nazariya for addressing the state’s war against the people of Bastar and stressed the importance of supporting initiatives that protect our fundamental rights to free speech and debate. 

K. Murali, considered a noted Maoist intellectual, contributed to the discussion via an audio message, providing insights into how the ongoing encirclement and repression is adversely affecting the Maoist campaign.

---

*Freelance journalist