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The word ‘Naxalites’ has been generally used in routine discussion among common people in India to denote various groups dedicated to the pursuit of justice for the poorest people without having any inhibition regarding use of violent means for achieving their justice based objectives. Now of course several of these groups may disagree strongly with such a simple description as they are very strong on ideological issues (and get very upset if their precise ideological position is stated even in a slightly mistaken way), and what is more, some have actually moved over to parliamentary politics and it may be factually wrong to say that they now use violent means for achieving their justice and equality related objectives. Nevertheless in public perception the word Naxalite is often used for groups firmly dedicated to justice related objectives and not hesitating to use violence for achieving justice related objectives. So here we use the word broadly in this sense to describe several such groups of post-independence India (more specifically roughly the period 1964-2024), and we are not at all referring here to any specific party or group.
Also it should be stated clearly at the outset that it is not at all the objective of this writer to praise or criticize or review these groups. Instead the objective here in this article is a very specific and limited one. This is to explore the question--If it is accepted that it is very important to create an India based on justice, equality, peace and protection of environment, then can the Naxalites make an important contribution to this by remaining deeply committed to their objectives of justice and equality but pursuing these in peaceful, non-violent ways?
It is clear that justice and equality are highly desirable and extremely important from the point of view of reducing human suffering. Economic inequality is at a very high level in India and it has been increasing in recent decades. In the conditions of India it is extremely difficult to meet the basic needs of all people without reducing economic inequalities. In addition to ensure a life of dignity to all it is also very important to reduce social inequalities and injustices. Gender based equality is of course important everywhere.
Naxalites are identified in public mind with their firm commitment to justice and equality. As India really needs justice and equality so Naxalites remain highly relevant to the real needs of the country.
To give a more specific example, land reforms in the simple sense of at least some land becoming available to all rural landless people (apart from protecting the existing land base of small farmers and particularly the tribal communities) is a highly desirable objective but this is being badly neglected today. Naxalites can contribute much to strengthening the struggle for land reforms in India, as land reform has always been a very important program for them.
Opposition to imperialism is a very important part of the overall struggles for creating a better world. This has become even more important in present day world as imperialist wars and arms race threaten to destroy the world while imperialist agenda in very important areas like food and farming threatens livelihoods and health in unprecedented, extremely serious ways. In this context also the Naxalite groups have increasing relevance as their agenda has generally always emphasized opposition of imperialism.
In brief, if reducing the distress of people of India is to be the most important objective, then several aspects of the ideas generally identified with most Naxalite groups continue to be relevant for India.
At the same time it should be stated that violence in everyday life is itself a very important part of human distress and a very important cause of distress. Hence it is very important to move away from thinking based on violence and depending mainly on violence for bringing any change. Violence is associated with dominance and secrecy and both of these tendencies have problems associated with them.
Several other groups also have high commitment to justice and equality, and these objectives are best achieved if Naxalite groups work in cooperation with these groups and with each other. These objectives are best achieved by discussing and working in highly transparent and democratic ways, trying to get the views of as many people as possible in free discussions, instead of imposing the ideas of a few leaders. In the past their violent ways, including indiscriminate violence and internal violence, have created a lot of problems for Naxalites as well as for others, leading often to the loss of life of many innocent people.
Hence the way forward for the Naxalites is to give up the path of violence, dominance and secrecy and to work in non-violent, peaceful, democratic and transparent ways. They should not insist that only we are the great revolutionary force, instead they should learn to work with due humility in cooperation with others who are working for similar objectives.
This will enable the Naxalites to establish a much broader base for their justice based work, and also provide much more continuity and sustainability to this work. They’ll be able to establish many more linkages and to carry out several kinds of highly creative constructive work (nirman) along with their numerous peaceful struggles (sangharsh). We have very inspiring examples of combining these struggles and constructive work from our freedom movement, as well as from some inspiring working class leaders of recent times like Shankar Guha Niyogi.
People tend to look at two streams of the freedom movement as those identified with Mahatma Gandhi and Shahid Bhagat Singh, but as I have argued in a recent book on freedom movement titled ‘When the Two Streams Met’, there were many areas and occasions when the two streams met and contributed to each other, the overall result being that the strength of the freedom movement increased.
The Naxalite groups can re-emerge as a stronger force if they work in non-violent, peaceful, broad-based, democratic and transparent ways. However some persons say that when they keep entirely non-violent, they have to sometimes face very cruel violence from others. Hence they can make one concession that they remain basically peaceful but at the same time they make some preparations for self-defense.
There are some other important matters to which the Naxalite groups need to give more attention. Environment protection has become a very integral part of creating a better and safer world. World peace and disarmament have become in some ways the biggest need of the world, essential for saving the world from the possibility of total ruin. Social reform measures including reducing the consumption of various intoxicants and reducing the role of violence in everyday life are increasingly important for reducing distress. These and other important concerns which did not receive proper attention in the past should now receive adequate attention.
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*Honorary convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. Recent books: "Protecting Earth for Children", "Planet in Peril", "Earth without Borders", "A Day in 2071"
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