Naxalism

The naxal challenge faced by different states in the country has heightened the interest in the study of naxalites and their ideology in recent years. Though a bulk of literature has been written on the history of naxalite movement, almost all of this focuses on the history of naxalite movement that happened in Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. But, most historians writing on this area has overlooked the fact that impact of Naxalbari revolt and Srikakulam revolt were far-reaching and in several parts of the country there were attempts to start a naxalite movement on similar lines. As the figures compiled by the Union Home Ministry indicates, from September 1967 till the middle of 1969, there has been a marked increase in the incidents of occupation of land, demonstrations demanding land for the landless, agitations for increase in wages of agricultural labourers etc. in different parts of the country. One can draw very important lessons from the study of history of rise [and fall] of naxalism in these areas.

Most studies so far have been content to study the history of only those regions where naxalism became popular. This paper focuses on the history of naxalite movement in a state where it failed to take root-Kerala. And it is for this very reason that a study of history of naxalite movement in Kerala is important. What is it that prevented the growth of naxalism in Kerala? The purpose of this paper is to answer this interesting question.

Another important theme this paper addresses is the causes which led to the rise of Naxalism in Kerala. This question is important because, unlike in other states, naxalism did not emerge in Kerala due to the stark class contradictions existing between the landlords and peasants; but it was initiated by a number of other factors; though the presence of contradictions gave an impetus to the movement. The project investigates these other factors which led to the rise of naxalism in Kerala. The first theme is inter-related with this second theme in that the factors which gave rise to naxalite movement also play a bearing on the death of the movement.