Kolkata in revolt: Documenting an urban Insurgency

By Harsh Thakor* 

‘Spring Thunder of Kolkata,’ written by Professor Amit Bhattacharya, examines the history of the Naxalite insurgency in Kolkata through a detailed reconstruction of events, ideological debates, and political developments. The book traces how the movement emerged from broader national and international influences, including the impact of the Chinese Revolution, the CPI–CPM split, and the ideological positions articulated in Charu Mazumdar’s "Historic Eight Documents". Drawing on archival material and personal recollections, the author outlines how these factors shaped the political climate in Bengal between the 1950s and early 1970s.

The narrative describes the formation of the AICCR, its evolution into the CPI(ML), and the convergence of activists from several Indian states in Kolkata in 1967. It documents the internal debates within the communist movement, the polarization between the CPM and emerging Naxalite groups, and the escalation of violent confrontations. The book attributes the origins of the fratricidal clashes partly to earlier political tensions in Bengal and recounts several incidents involving both CPM cadres and Naxalite activists.

Bhattacharya provides accounts of student mobilizations, campus protests, and youth participation in political actions. He describes how economic distress, unemployment, and disillusionment with existing political structures contributed to the appeal of radical politics among students and young workers. The book also covers the movement’s efforts to send students and youth to rural areas to participate in agrarian struggles, reflecting the CPI(ML)’s emphasis on integrating with the peasantry.

The author documents rallies demanding the release of political prisoners, the emergence of armed squads, and the practice of targeting individuals identified as “class enemies.” He recounts how these actions spread across parts of West Bengal and how they were justified within the CPI(ML)’s political framework. The book also describes the production of party publications such as Deshabrati and Liberation, highlighting their role in disseminating ideological material and reporting on ongoing struggles.

Bhattacharya discusses the influence of Charu Mazumdar on urban youth and the movement’s endorsement of various forms of symbolic protest, including the destruction of statues and portraits of national leaders. He also recounts the deployment of the army in Kolkata in 1970–71, the rise in police repression, and several documented cases of custodial deaths and alleged fake encounters. The book includes descriptions of major incidents such as the killings of Kajal Banerjee, Samir Bhattacharya, and Ashu Mazumdar, as well as the Cossipore–Baranagar massacre of August 1971.

The narrative further examines prison revolts, the participation of lumpen elements, and the limited but notable involvement of women, who often played supportive roles such as providing shelter, medical assistance, and communication links. The author also outlines the internal debates within the CPI(ML) following Charu Mazumdar’s death, including disagreements over tactical lines and the reassessment of earlier strategies between 1972 and 1977.

In its evaluation, the book presents itself as a comprehensive account of the Naxalite movement in Kolkata, emphasizing the scale of youth participation and the intensity of political mobilization during the period. However, it offers limited critical analysis of the CPI(ML)’s strategic errors, particularly its departure from mass-line politics and its adoption of urban insurrectionary tactics. The book also gives little attention to the sectarian practices that contributed to the movement’s fragmentation.

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*Freelance journalist