Scripting the Change: Selected Writings of Anuradha Ghandy

by Anuradha Ghandy, Anand Teltumbde (Editor), Shoma Sen (Editor)

In this great democracy of ours, Anuradha Gandhy was what is known as a Maoist terrorist, liable to be arrested, or, more likely, shot in a fake encounter like hundreds of her colleagues have been ... Reading through [her writings]... you catch glimpses of a mind of someone who could have been a serious scholar or academic who was overtaken by her conscience and found it impossible to sit back and merely theorize about the terrible injustice she saw around her. These writings reveal a person who is doing all she can to link theory and practice, action and thought. Arundhati Roy, New Delhi//Anuradha Ghandy s life and work stands as an example for a generation of Indian revolutionaries. But more than that she has directly contributed to the development of the Indian revolutionary movement in significant ways. Take the caste issue. Anuradha was one of the new generations of revolutionaries that in practical political activity gained and formulated an insight that helped the movement to move forward from the former narrow economism in the perception of caste of the old CPI to a new and broader understanding of the class role of the superstructure. ...her writing contains much more. It is necessary reading for anyone who wants to understand the present situation in India

Genres: Feminism, India, Politics, Nonfiction, Essays

504 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Anuradha Ghandy (28 March 1954 – 12 April 2008) was an Indian communist, writer, and revolutionary leader. She was a member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). She was mostly involved in propaganda, and in CPI's insurgency into urban areas. She was one of the founding members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), in Maharashtra.

Among the policy papers drafted by the Marxist movement, Anuradha had contributed significantly to the ones on castes and 'Feminism and Marxism'. She made the guerillas realise the potential of worker cooperatives in areas like agricultural production, in Dandakaranya. She was also critical on shifting patriarchal ideas that were then dominant in the party.

In her obituary for Anuradha, with whom she was friends from the days when the latter was still a college student in the 1970s, Jyoti Punwani wrote: "'The Naxalite menace', says Manmohan Singh, 'is the biggest threat to the country'. But I remember a girl who was always laughing and who gave up a life rich in every way to change the lives of others".

Reviews

[aftan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about caste, feminism and revolutionary womens movements in india through these essays! gandhy has a way of writing, you can tell these are well researched essays. my favorite essays were the caste question in india, philosophical trends in the feminist movement and a conversation with comrade janaki

[Pritthwish Das · Rating 2 out of 5]

The entire essay is an ardent observation of the subcontinet’s demographics and caste equations. Ghandy,a veteran leftist who was highly inspired by Mao and his cultural revolution in the 70’s has effortlessly spelled the long history of the country through her mere understanding , reading and practical experience. But despite all these positives the essay is non-academic and has its own limitations. Ghandy fails to mention a single archeological or historical source she uses to explore the ancient history of the country rather her approach to history is simplistic and unidimensional. As a result of that it becomes difficult for readers to compare, analyze and to have a holistic view towards the subject.
Ghandy also fails to observe the integration of abrahamic faiths into the caste dynamics of the country and even wrongfully mentions christianity and Islam in positive light in treating all people equally. So it is an absolute disapointment to me if people of such stature forget that these two religions have carried on the cult of slavery for thousands of years in Europe and middle east on their shoulders. And even their scriptures have enough justifications for that.
Ghandy’s extreme concern for the tribals and the ati dalits and their centuries old problem has alarmed me and has made me more interested on this subject. The curve of history in the 19th and 20th century with the likes of Non Brahmin movements and dalit movements and the emerging non brahmin upper castes who have been rising inpower of independent India is quite new to me.
In totality the essay is very informative but subjective and still gives the readers to understand the point of view of the maoist struggle in the mid seventies.

[Jayden gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

i only read the part about women .