A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*

Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Professor Mohanty has participated in numerous fact-finding missions in areas impacted by state repression, lending guidance to the People's Union for Democratic Rights in Delhi. Unlike many intellectuals, he has engaged directly with grassroots movements, often integrating his work with the causes of resistance. He continues to be a voice for revolutionary democratic resistance, particularly in the face of rising authoritarianism, and his presence in public gatherings is valued for his approachable and empathetic nature.

In the 1970s, Mohanty advocated for revolutionary change, emphasizing the role of Mao Zedong’s ideas in liberation movements and analyzing China’s experiments under Mao as distinct from earlier socialist approaches. While a Marxist, he has also supported a multi-party state and critiqued the hierarchical structures in Stalin’s era. He praised Jayaprakash Narayan’s role in preserving democracy during the 1970s, finding merit in the movement’s opposition to authoritarianism and corruption.

Five Decades of the Maoist Movement

In his book "Five Decades of the Maoist Movement in India", Mohanty examines the movement's evolution, from its origins to its current structure as represented by the CPI (Maoist). The book provides an in-depth analysis of early peasant uprisings in Naxalbari and Srikakulam through a theoretical framework, comparing them with the Chinese Revolution. Mohanty discusses the organizational developments of the CPI (Maoist) in the face of challenges like state bans and leader losses, as well as the movement’s expansion through issues of displacement and civil rights.

Mohanty divides India’s Communist revolutionary movement into three main streams—the CPI(ML), CPI(Maoist), and CPI(ML) Liberation—each with distinct strategies for revolution and views on electoral politics. His analysis highlights strategic differences within the Naxalite movement and how the CPI (Maoist) has consolidated support by addressing issues like adivasi displacement and civil liberties violations. He argues that the state’s response to the Maoist movement cannot succeed without addressing the underlying issues driving it.

The book also covers the legacy of the Naxalite movement over five decades and the theoretical challenges it faces, such as refining the strategy of democratic revolution within India’s complex political environment.

China and Mao Zedong Thought

Mohanty’s book "China’s Transformation: The Success Story and the Success Trap" examines the positive and negative impacts of China’s reforms since Mao, focusing on the balance between economic growth and social issues. His Study of the Political Philosophy of Mao Zedong explores Mao's ideas on revolutionary transformation, particularly in Asian, African, and Latin American contexts, as well as Mao's strategic principles for building a united front against primary adversaries.

In "Ideology Matters: China from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping", Mohanty investigates China's ideological shifts from Mao to Xi, analyzing the successes and challenges China faces in maintaining its reform agenda.

Criticisms

While Mohanty provides a comprehensive view, he has been critiqued for not distinctly emphasizing the CPI (Maoist) as the sole group actively pursuing a revolutionary path. Critics suggest he may equate the CPI(ML) Liberation with more revolutionary groups despite its closer alignment with parliamentary politics. He is also seen as downplaying the contributions of the pro-Mao "Gang of Four" during China’s Cultural Revolution and failing to recognize their genuine revolutionary intent.

In summary, Professor Mohanty’s work stands as a significant contribution to the study of revolutionary democracy, human rights, and the legacy of Maoist thought, even as it sparks debates about the nuances of revolutionary paths and historical analysis.

---

*Freelance journalist

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog