The Communist parties, CPI and CPM, have expressed their strong opposition to the Union Home Ministry’s iron will and firm action against the Maoist “Red Terror.” The CPM Polit Bureau, on May 24, denounced the military operations against Maoists that resulted in the killing of 27 terrorists, including Basava Raju alias Nambala Kesava Rao, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). The party’s highest body alleged that the Union Government and the Chhattisgarh State Government are following an ‘inhuman policy’ of annihilation, liquidation, and murder.
It stated that the Union Home Minister’s anti-Maoist speeches and the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister’s statement — that there is no need for any talks with the Maoists — reflect a fascist mindset that celebrates the killing of human beings. The party does not support such operations and declares them ‘against democracy’.
It is reported that People’s Democracy, the mouthpiece of the CPM, has carried articles in the same spirit.
The members of Maoist party often criticises the Communist parties and claims to be the true revolutionary party in accordance with the core principles of Communism.
The CPI, another communist party in the country, has described the actions against Maoists as a dangerous model. Party General Secretary D. Raja expressed his opposition through a post on X. He said the anti-Maoist operations represent dangerous ‘state-sponsored violence’ and has demanded a judicial enquiry into the operations against the Maoists.
It is ironic to see that the CPM and CPI are now coming to the rescue of the Maoists. It is worth revisiting the history of Maoist violence, formerly known as Naxalism. The Naxalite movement began in Bharat in 1967. This violent political movement raised its ugly head in the states of West Bengal, Kerala, and the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, Kerala and West Bengal were ruled by political fronts that included the Bangla Congress and CPM. Bangla Congress leader Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee was the Chief Minister, and CPM veteran Jyoti Basu was the Deputy Chief Minister.
In Kerala, a CPM-led Sapthamunnani (a front consisting of seven parties including CPM, CPI, RSP, Indian Union Muslim League, and some other minor outfits) was voted to power. CPM veteran E.M.S. Namboodiripad was the Chief Minister. The Naxalbari movement got its name from the village of Naxalbari in West Bengal, where it originated.
In Kerala, red terrorists attacked police stations and landlords, murdering several policemen and civilians. In 1969, the EMS ministry lost its majority as the CPI, Indian Union Muslim League, and some other parties joined hands with the Congress and formed a government. CPI veteran C. Achutha Menon became the Chief Minister. Later, Congress veteran K. Karunakaran took over as Home Minister when Congress joined the cabinet.
When the CPM and CPI were in power in West Bengal and Kerala, both parties wielded an iron fist to suppress Red Terrorism. In the 1960s, the Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Tse-tung and his party were staunchly opposed to the CPM. CPM veteran EMS was one of the permanent targets of Beijing Radio’s consistent attacks.
At that time, both parties had comfortable support in several states. But now, they are confined to a single state — Kerala. And when the BJP-led Union Government and the Chhattisgarh State Government take strong action against the Maoists, both parties are showing double standards.
They conveniently forget the principle that terrorism is no good for any civilised society. CPI General Secretary D. Raja seems to forget that Naxalite Varghese was killed by the police in Wayanad on 18 February 1970 — when his (Raja’s) leader was the Kerala Chief Minister.
Varghese’s death was shrouded in controversy, initially portrayed as a confrontation with the police. But after 40 years, a former policeman confessed to the killing. That constable, along with a former Inspector General of Police, was jailed in connection with the case after four decades.
