Naxalism has given tribals sense of identity, feel authors/

Naxalism has given tribals sense of identity, feel authors/

"These are areas where there has been no progress in terms of land-reforms, criminals are turning into politicians, governments are corrupt. People are becoming part of it in self-defence and shamefully, the state calls them terrorists,''

Palak Nandi, TNN Jan 21, 2012, 05.12AM IST


JAIPUR: Years of suppression and exploitation force the youngsters in the red corridor to become Maoists and though naxalism might not have improved the basic life parameters, it has given the tribals a sense of identify and empowerment. So believe the writers closely following the movement and writing about the issues.

Participating in a talk about the half truths and untold stories on maoists 'Ardha Satya: Kuch Ankahi Kahaaniyan, Maowaadi, Guerilley aur Bhartiya Ganrajya', writers Rahul Pandita and Neelabh Askh along with Kavita Srivastava, a human right activist; the speakers shared their experiences.

"These are areas where there has been no progress in terms of land-reforms, criminals are turning into politicians, governments are corrupt. People are becoming part of it in self-defence and shamefully, the state calls them terrorists,'' said Neelab Askh. Askh raised the issue of increasing number of people being imprisoned. ``How many people will the government send to jail only because the they want their rights as Indian Citizens?'' he added.

Speaking on the issue, Kavita said that guilt by association would make them all culprits. "My association with Chhattisgarh is four years old and yet, I became a subject of attack,'' she said, narrating the incident how her house in Jaipur raided by the Chhattisgrah Police along with the state police in search on an alleged maoist Soni Sodhi. Reading out letters written by Soni, who is now in jail, to the Supreme Court, Kavita said Soni was subjected to physical and sexual torture.

"She had fought the maoists in her village, following which they shot her father in the leg. It is ironical that she is now being termed at a maiost herself,'' said Kavita, who also found support Rahul Pandita.

A journalist himself, Rahul pushed for journalists to take a stand on such issues. ``Journalists' neutrality is one thing but if a journalist is present in the area and is an eyewitness should not shy away from taking a stand," he said.

The writers blamed the government for the growing maoist movement. They claimed that the government is harassing the tribals in the name of action against maoists. "Not all have weapons, not all our fighters. Most are victims and those suffering are tribals," said Rahul.
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