Revolutionary
poet and ideologue Varavara Rao
How do you
react when Maoists enact a brutal massacre such as this?
It is only the
symptom of what is happening on the ground. The issue is simple. Multinationals
are making huge inroads with the help of corrupt governments and contractors.
The Maoists’ movement had stopped the mnc drain on the region’s
resources, but of late they have begun to exploit the area again. In
addition, the government is repressing people in the name of Salva Judum,
which is nothing but a State-sponsored war upon the people. The media
has reported more than 50 policemen killed in the incident, but do you
know 39 of them were Salva Judum activists whom the government has armed
and given uniforms?
‘The government
is repressing people in the name of Salva Judum, which is a State-sponsored
war’ |
Do you justify
violence as a political tactic, though?
What is the option?
You must ask this question to the State which is the main instrument
of violence today. Those who stand up for the rights of the masses often
have no recourse but to resist State violence; Maoists are indulging
in counter-violence, that’s all, they have to defend themselves.
Is there
a possibility they could give up arms and begin talks?
Again, ask the
State. If it ends Salva Judum and the people of the area are allowed
to return home safe, there will be a reduction in violence. But if the
State continues to oppress people, there will be retaliation.
How do you
respond to a ceasefire proposal?
Let the government
declare it, the revolutionary movement will take a decision. More than
60 people were killed in Nandigram by the State and nobody calls that
violence. These were people trying to protect their land and the police
just butchered them. There is no outcry about that kind of violence.
Why? When the State is so violent, there will be violence in society.
Where do
you see the movement heading? Is there a goal in sight?
This is a time
for all revolutionary, democratic and nationality movements, like the
ones in Kashmir and the Northeast to unite, and something will come
out of this unity. We have very little expectations of the State and
the comprador class that it represents.
Sankarshan Thakur
