The right cause but the wrong way
ing them ‘soldiers of the people’s revolution.’ Those innocent children, who are oblivious to the theories of ‘people’s awakening’ and ‘people’s war’, are made to indulge in violence and carry out spying work . Beating up people, in a way, is part of the training regime of Naxalites. The boy who first participates in a massacre is applauded. The advocates of a violent struggle provoke these children to become bloodthirsty: If you don’t have the instinct to kill enemies of the class, then you are not fit for the movement, they are told.
No wonder the number of comrades disenchanted by this movement is rising. If 394 Left wing extremists surrendered in 2011, the number rose to 1,442 in 2016. Similarly, 1,840 persons associated with Maoist organisations were arrested last year. A surrendered Maoist militant told the police that he wanted to get married, have children and lead a normal life. He said his dreams had been shattered and he was disillusioned by the leadership. Just this month, two area commanders have given up arms. This is the other face of the Maoist slogan: Jal, jangal, zameen, izzat aur adhikar (Water, forests, land, respect and rights).
That is the kind of logic which gives peaceniks the assurance that despite Sukmalike attacks, violence is the last stop in a oneway street. Why don’t the Maoist guerrillas understand that they are waging a war for right cause in the wrong manner?