Author: P.V. Ramana
Publication: Twocircles.net
Date: August 25, 2008
URL: http://www.twocircles.net/2008aug24/danger_signals_maoists_seek_linkages_muslim_extremists.html
Naxalites of the Communist Party of India
Maoist (CPI-Maoist) have condemned the extension of the proscription on the
Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which has been involved in a series
of bomb blasts in India. According to media reports, Azad, spokesperson of
the Central Committee of the CPI-Maoist, said "it was a reiteration of
the (government's) policy to continue its brutal war on Muslims".
In another statement, Azad also condemned
what he called the "double standards of the Indian ruling classes in
Kashmir". He called upon Kashmiri Muslims to "fight back Hindu fascist
forces and Indian expansionists".
The CPI-Maoist has always held the secessionist
insurgencies in Jammu and Kashmir and India's northeast as well as the Tamil
Tigers' war against the Sri Lankan state as "nationality struggles".
At its Unity Congress (also known as 9th Congress) towards the end of January
2007, the CPI-Maoist passed a resolution on 'Nationality Struggles', another
on 'Nationalities', and yet another resolution on 'Hindu Fascism'.
While it extended support to the secessionist-terrorist
movement in Jammu and Kashmir, terming it a nationality struggle, it also
said: "The Indian state too has targeted Muslims, branding them 'terrorist'.
After 9/11 and the (Indian) parliament attack, Muslims were targeted once
again... Our party is willing to unite in a broad front with all the genuine
democratic forces which would be willing to fight back the Hindu fascist offensive."
In the past, too, with a view to winning the
support of the Muslim community, the Maoists sought to convey that they empathise
with them. For instance, in 2005, the then Andhra Pradesh State Committee
Secretary of the CPI-Maoist extended "moral support" and condemned
the arrest in Hyderabad of an accused in the murder of a Gujarat politician.
The current statement relating to the proscription
of SIMI could be understood by considering the following. One, it is an attempt
to win over the support of the Muslim community and thus broaden their base.
Two, the Maoists are making common cause with SIMI by condemning its proscription
as they too are a proscribed organisation in some states; they are also banned
by the central government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
Three, and more importantly, this should be
seen in the context of the Maoist tactic of making common cause with any organisation
or body that opposes the Indian state either through peaceful means or violently.
This is part of the United Front tactics of the Maoists.
According to classical understanding, a Communist
party should have three "magic weapons": strong party, strong army
and United Front. According to the CPI-Maoist, they would form two types of
fronts: Strategic United Front (SUF) and Tactical United Front (TUF).
In other words, the former refers to joining
forces with similar armed groups whereas the latter points to forming alliances
with legitimate, overground unarmed groups. As yet, there is no indication
to suggest that the CPI-Maoist has formed SUF; but the intention has been
made loud and clear.
The working of the TUF is clearly in play
at present. As a senior police officer (who was earlier with the anti-Naxalite
Special Intelligence Branch in Andhra Pradesh) told this author in July, a
TUF serves the Maoists' agenda in the following ways:
* To consolidate various 'anti-imperialist'
struggles and bring them on to one platform on the basis of a common working
understanding;
* To expand the reach of the Maoists to various
sections of society by building contacts with them;
* To expand overground cadre strength, thoroughly
indoctrinate them, and then completely incorporate them into organisational
work, especially in urban areas;
* Poach partners for potential leaders and
ideologues;
* Serves as a good cover from the long arm
of the state;
* Essentially being a political activity,
it reinforces military activities, i.e., armed struggle.
The CPI-Maoist has a front organisation known
as Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), which has been proscribed by the
central government. Some of its key leaders and units are known to be functioning
in various states.
The RDF was the prime mover behind the formation
of the People's Democratic Front of India (PDFI) that was founded in July
2006. Its members include Medha Patkar, Nandita Haksar, S.A.R. Geelani, B.D.
Sharma, P. Varavara Rao and Darshan Pal.
Some of its constituent organisations include
Samyukta Sangram Committee (West Bengal), Indian Federation of Trade Unions,
All India Federation of Trade Unions, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Daman Virodhi
Manch (Orissa), Jharkhand Progressive Students Union -- an affiliate of the
All India Radical Students Federation (AIRSF).
It is important to closely monitor the linkages
that overground Maoist groups and individuals might seek to form with Muslim
groups. These links would not threaten the security of the country but can
serve as a headache that can best be avoided.
(P.V. Ramana is Research Fellow, Institute
for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. He can be contacted at palepuramana@gmail.com)
