How the Maoist Attack Symbolizes Armed Struggle against Power of the State

In an ordinary Indian’s psyche, laws seem to represent archaic, oppressive regulations that are meant to choke the human spirit. In fact, laws in India safeguard the rights of citizens in so many ways but we rarely discuss laws unless we get into trouble or if there is a big scam that is exposed or a controversy that makes news headlines. Think about the Maoist attack that took place on April 7, 2010, which shook the nation. There can be no justification for the barbaric attacks. The critical question is, have we understood the message they wanted to convey to the state?

Probably not.

Maoist attack in the Dantewada forest: The Lapses, Problems and Reactions

The Maoist attack in the Dantewada forest (Chhattisgarh) claimed the lives of 74 CRPF personnel. This is reportedly the worst act depicting Maoist insurgency in India which spurred the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh to call it ‘horrific.’ A section of the public believes that the Dantewada attack has clearly exposed the Indian government's slowness, lack of planning and operational weaknesses in tackling the growing Maoist menace.

The problem is that neither the Indian government nor the people of this country have an informed approach about the Maoist attacks. Reactions set in but questions that can validate the reasons for these attacks are not probed properly by the concerned authorities. 

Maoist attack in the Dantewada forest: Some Hard Hitting Facts

Despite our tall claims about India shining through the years of global recession, the truth is that India is still a country where millions of people live below subsistence levels. Their children are sent off to work because there is no other way to survive and make ends meet.

The economic boom we boast about does not reach these classes because they have no voice, no opportunity and no political messiahs to represent them.

The stark reality is that Maoist attacks are barbaric but their attempt was to represent these impoverished millions whom they believe they represent. This is the crux that the state has failed to grasp while devising ways to strike back at them.