Naxalism-Terrorism

Yesterday home secretary gave a statement that in government's eyes Naxalites and terrorists are one and the same. I am sure most Indians share his openion. Let me put my two pennies worth comment here.

** What is terrorism? Its the act of terrorizing common people. They kill or bomb common unarmed people to reign terror. If you try to remember all the naxal attacks in the last few years (as reported in newspapers) you will mark that almost all such attacks have been on police, paramillitary or millitary personnels. So if attack is against armed forces, my simple conviction is that it is not terrorism rather its civil war!

** I dont know much about other places. However, as far as tribal districts of Orissa is concerned, the first proper rail started running in those areas only a few years back. And till now there is only one express (Hirakhand Express) running through the tribal areas. Train is the heart throbe of modern world. One train for 1/3rd of the state: you can imagine to what extent government has neglected these areas.

** With no train, no communication and loads of minerals, these areas have been ranshacked by our power-bearers. And with this went expiation of the tribals.

** With all these ground work, there came arms and new philosophies from our neighbours. Hence, do you blame the naxals?

Those who still blame the Naxals, please try to imagine yourself in their place. With no land, no source of income, no health care, no schools, with your parents being treated as slaves by local businessman, your sister raped by the local police........ what would you do? Go and talk to government? Do you think we have such a system where a poor can talk and complain?

Lets stop fooling ourselves. Lets first accept that "our" (not of any government or anything else) negligence is the cause of this problem. Secondly lets stop fooling around and accept that this is NOT terrorism, this is a bloody civil-war! And lastly, lets make system so that they will feel that its risky to lift the gun, its risky in the sense I will lose a good life, its risky in the sense I may lose my family, its risky in the sense I may lose my food-or-hood! That will automatically stop it. Without this, there is no stopping the flow. And remember my frineds, with the flow none of us is safe and none our lives is worth living...!!

Each as per his capacity!

Like most middle class families in the 80's, mine was also a believer in socialistic philosophies. One of the socialist quotes which attracted me was "work as per your capacity; take as per your need"! Utopian saying. Last night while looking at the approaching train under the bridge, I was suddenly reminded of this quote, in a different context. I think the way we grow, we are always at the edge of chaos. We have exactly the amount of happiness or sorrows that we can endure or need. A bit more happiness, we will lose our sense and a bit more sorrow will make us suicidal. Its not that there is some god out there assigning happiness or sorrow for us. Its rather like any other thing in nature. A stone is at a particular place, just because that's the most optimal position that has come in its course. Similarly we are still alive implies that our pain and pleasure have been balanced. Its a process of elimination! That gave me my philosophy for that night "pain and pleasure come to each as per his capacity!" Pain or pleasure in your life has got nothing to do with what you did right or wrong. May be its a socialistic world all the way...!