The only way of dealing with the violent movement like maoist movement in India, in democratic countries is to improve the quality of governance and make honesty of purpose as central theme of administration. When it would not happen, it is inevitable that the politicians and government officials have to move only with police escort and fear the wrath of the poor and suffering people who are denied opportunities for growth and sustenance.
l by N.S.Venkataraman
(05 July, 2012, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The killing of nineteen maoists in India , who claim to be fighting against the exploitation of the poor people, have been reported by the media as if it is a victory in a war against foreign aggression. ( Media report on 30th June,2012) The spokesman of the government of India said that it was a carefully planned operation and the killings of the maoists who are fellow Indians was viewed as a lawful and legitimate action.
Many people think that while the methods of maoists in taking to violence are unacceptable, still it is believed that the maoists enjoy some sort of support of the section of the poor people living in extremely tough poverty conditions and exploited by several sections. Many think that without such support of the poor people, maoists cannot carry out their operations. Probably, section of the poor people think that maoists give them a ray of hope in otherwise oppressive conditions created by the land grabbers, mine owners and corrupt government machinery.
Obviously, the government should recognise this factor of Maoists enjoying some support from section of the people.
Such movements are no more uncommon and take place in several countries under one banner or the other in the name of language or religion or demanding splitting of the country for self governance by a section of the population.
The government in a democratic society like India cannot defeat maoists by killing them,as for everyone killed, there would be at least ten more people from the poorer sections of the society who would be willing to face the bullet of the government forces. The only solution for the problem is for the government to ensure fair governance and equality of opportunities and avoidance of exploitation in the society.
When such movements grow in the course of time and become so powerful as to cause threat to the peace , stability and progress of society, it would be invariably seen that such movements are caused due to the ministers, politicians and bureaucrats who lack credibility and live in luxury with their ill gotten income, which become an eyesore for the suffering poor people. When dishonesty in governance become widespread , the suffering poor people are forced to suspect collusion of the government with the dishonest business houses and the politicians and government officials indulging in corrupt practices.
Under such circumstances, it is seen that the politicians and government officials and even business men do not have the courage to face the poor people and interact with them without police escort. It is a familiar scene now in India and perhaps in other democratic countries in Asia, to see the ministers always moving in public places with number of gun wielding police men to protect them and the politicians even at the level of local municipal councillors having body guards.
Many people think that the strengthening of maoist movement in India is the direct result of dishonesty in governance and increasing disparity in income and opportunities between different sections of the society.
To defeat the violent social movements, it is absolutely necessary to have ministers and bureaucrats in charge of governments who are known for honesty of purpose and fairness in dealings and who would enjoy the confidence of the poorer sections of the society.
Great Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Vinobha Bhave would have straight away walked into the maoist camps without any escort to find solutions to the issues and create confidence amongst the suffering poor people. In the process, if they were to be killed, they would have willingly sacrificed their lives for the sake of the cause.
The only way of dealing with the violent movement like maoist movement in India, in democratic countries is to improve the quality of governance and make honesty of purpose as central theme of administration. When it would not happen, it is inevitable that the politicians and government officials have to move only with police escort and fear the wrath of the poor and suffering people who are denied opportunities for growth and sustenance.
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