Naxalite Movement in India

by Prakash Singh

The Naxalite Movement in India started in 1967 from a small village and gradually spread over large areas of the country, particularly in the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. It was described by the UPA government as the biggest threat to the internal security of the country. The movement has since suffered setbacks but nevertheless retains the capacity to launch lethal strikes and continues to pose a formidable challenge to India's democratic structure. The Naxalite Movement in India, now in a revised and updated edition, traces the Naxalite movement from its inception to its metamorphosis into a predominantly Maoist movement in a historical sweep.

Genres: India, Nonfiction

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Avinash Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for anyone who wants to know about the history of the Naxalite movement in India. It is to the point in its writing with dates, events that led to gradual ascent of the Naxalite movement. The 'class struggle' of communist movement ended up being 'caste struggle' which initially started as a struggle between landlords and peasants. In fact, in many conflicts between landlords and peasants, caste and class were so intertwined that it was even difficult to determine the true motivation of the various crimes such as loot, rape, beheadings, justice via kangaroo courts took place. This also highlights the communist hypocrisy of championing the voice of the subaltern while Indian communists have been feudal lords. The book is fairly balanced in its tone regarding the movement.

[Anirban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, this book is not for casual readers as the author writes the book in a scholarly fashion. He meticulously threads the history of the naxalite movement in India, with names, dates, figures and backs them up with documentary evidence. His prose, if I may be a bit harsh, is a bit dull. But, to someone who is deeply interested in this movement will get engrossed in these pages.
Secondly, this book goes deep into the history of the movement. We find detailed writings on the main groups and other splinter groups that operated under the Maoist ideology. Also the author explains the history according to the different regions, where the movement grew.
Lastly, being a police officer I thought Mr. Singh would be dismissal of the Naxalites and their ideals, but surprisingly he portrays a very balanced picture of the movement, their ideals and the dream they wanted to realize. Unlike Rahul Pandita's book "Hello Bastar" this book doesn't romanticizes about the movement and while criticizing their ways also doesn't demonize them.
P.S. The book should be updated so as to include the recent development in the Naxalite movement.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good info and research but poorly written.

[Harshavardhan Bagri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The naxalite movement are Marxist guerrillas based on the ideologies ranging from Mao, Lin-Biao & Castro. The book describes the beginning of the naxalite movement and details the beginning of this insurrection. This book does not grasp the interest of the readers. Midway one tends to loose interest. The author's style is not clear & confuses the reader. He frequently uses slogans from naxalite & Bhagavad Gita.

The book turns out out to be disappointing . Eventually it is dreary as more information, depth of issue or topic is expected from an IPS officer who has contributed to combat the insurgency. The book turns out to be outdated as it does not involve latest developments regarding the naxalite movement.

[Palash Bansal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives all the relevant facts about the naxalite movement in India from the very day it started. (In AP and not in Naxalbari as most of us came to believe). A book by the IPS officer who has actually faced the issue himself, is bound to present some in-depth knowledge of the movement. But as the book was launched in 1995, it is a bit outdated as far as the recent developments of the movement is concerned.

[Robinson Biruly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing book with banal facts and as an IPS more of information was expected. A lot of cliche as the book proceeds lack of depth and research.