The Maoist Movement in India: Perspectives and Counterperspectives

by Santosh Paul (Editor)

This book presents the raging debate on one of the most brutal political realities that India has confronted in recent the rising conflict between Maoist insurgent groups and the Indian State. With some of the finest writings on the subject, it brings together articles and interviews from leading authors, politicians, journalists, intellectuals, filmmakers and legal practitioners. The volume straddles between two apparently irreconcilable (a) the view that the Maoist movement threatens the very core of democratic foundations, and should be perceived as a violent law & order situation justifying severe retaliatory measures, and (b) the counterview where Maoists are fiercely defended as revolutionaries and comrades of resistance, and the movement seen as the last-ditch struggle by those who have been abandoned over years by the State in its developmental process. The essays probe whether armed struggle is avoidable, whether the desperate desire for peace has simply been overtaken by political ideologies, and whether an inclusive developmental State policy may help restore faith in its democratic ethos. The book will be of interest to academics and students of politics, sociology, social anthropology and law. It will also be extremely useful to social workers, policymakers, politicians, bureaucrats, as well as the general reader.

300 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2012

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of essays is almost comical but evidently unintentional which makes it tragic.
Almost all of the essays here are written by popular writers, politicians, bureaucrats & TV personalities, are ridiculously stupid with no effort to really understand the movement, it's history including its intellectual history.
There are a couple of decent essays here, hence the 2 stars as a mark of respect towards those essays.

[Lovis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Informative but some parts were totally irrelevant.

[Samir Bodkhe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its an anthology.it is made up of essays and articles written by emminent personalities.Few of them are very good.it does not give one line ofthought but provides various views on solving naxal problem.