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| India-Pakistan |
| 'CWC reports canÂ’t stop the Salva JudumÂ’ |
| 2007-09-24 |
| Mahendra Karma, Chhattisgarh Congress leader and Salva Judum protagonist, defends the movement in conversation with SHIVAM VIJ A Congress working committee delegation went to Dantewada recently and has recommended that the Salwa Judum be ended. I am not aware of such a report. What if you are asked to respond to such a report? They'll give their report but Salwa Judum can't stop if you just ask it to stop. It's a people's movement, run by the people. Jairam Ramesh, considered close to Sonia Gandhi, has publicly condemned Salwa Judum and said that it should be ended. You are the Congress opposition leader in Chhattisgarh. I do not know in what context he made the remark. Only the Naxalites understand what Salwa Judum really is. The Naxalites' media managment is so strong that most people don't know the truth. I can't understand how in a democracy like ours anyone can defend an undemocratic Naxalite movement, even unknowingly. Naxalism is such a problem that a you need a movement to solve it. Those with theories in air-conditioned rooms can't solve it. What are you going to tell Congress president Sonia Gandhi about the Salwa Judum? I'll show her my record of 17 years of fighting against Naxalites. Many years ago a people's movement I had initiated had thrown the Naxalites out. I'll tell her about the circumstances in which I have led this people's movement against Naxalite terrorism. Former CM Ajit Jogi says Salwa Judum is a means of spreading saffronisation. (Laughs.) That is seeing it politically. The war against Naxalism is on. That people want political mileage in a situation where people are losing their lives is very sad, it is cheap politics. So you think there should be Salwa Judum across the red corridor? There is certainly a need for public participation. What about political and social solutions, or talks with the CPI (Maoist)? Talks are a good idea, but why would they talk to you? What they want to spread their reach by using violence, not dialogue, they are an anti-state movement. So talks are no use? All wars end with talks. Be it Chhattisgarh or any other state, there have been many attempts at talks and ceasefires, but have you seen any results? Guthi Koya tribals have been fleeing to Warangal and Khammam in Andhra to escape the Salwa Judum. That is Naxalite propaganda, after the Naxalites have themselves driven these tribals out to Andhra! Is it true that you don't want to contest the next election, a year away, from Dantewada. I am looking at options. I want to contest from the place where the Naxalites are the strongest. Or is it that you fear that thanks to unpopularity because of Salwa Judum, you may not win in Dantewada anymore? No, I want to contest where the Naxalites are the strongest. Do you approve of the way the Raman Singh government has handled Naxalism? I think that we should not consider it unfortunate if the proposition and opposition agree on an issue. National security and integrity should be above politics. So when are you joining the BJP? (Laughs.) People spread these rumours to harass and defame. The BJP has been in government in Chhattisgarh and I could have switched over and gotten some benefits. Why would I go over when elections are at the doorstep? But you are already jokingly called Chhattisgarh's 28th minister? If we can sit with the government and work on something together, why not? Being in the opposition doesn't mean I'll see opponents as enemies. Ideological differences should not mean political untouchability. The Chhattisgarh assembly had a closed door session. In a democracy people should know what happened there. That closed door meeting had people who openly condemn for working against the Naxalites. If I did anything wrong in the meeting, why did my detractors not say it outside the house? What was discussed? It was a closed-door meeting. It is alleged that you have personally led the torching of some villages which did not join Salwa Judum. (Laughs) Give me one name. Amrapali. (Laughs) Salwa Judum has been credited with a lot of violence. All the violence is being committed - on villagers who have not joined Salwa Judum - by Naxalites. Ask them to explain it. Naxalites don't recognise your Constituton. Will anyone ever question that? Sociologist Nandini Sundar and formwer Bastar collector BD Sharma, amongst many others, have been running a national campaign against Salwa Judum. Let them come to the field and see. Why are they talking from closed doors? Sharma has been seen in Naxalite meetings. What does he have to say about that? Sundar has address Naxalite public meetings. There are photographs. SPOs who are former Naxalites have recognised her. Nobody can be bigger than the nation. The Essar group has paid money to make Salwa Judum camps permanant, and it is said that your son works with Essar on that project. Let's have a CBI inquiry on these allegations - be it corruption or human rights violation. I have devoted my life to it and people say I am running after money! Yes, we all want Tata and Essar in Dantewada. The iron ore is ours, the industries on it should be in Bastar itself. |
| Posted by:john frum |
| #1 Sociologist Nandini Sundar and formwer Bastar collector BD Sharma, amongst many others, have been running a national campaign against Salwa Judum. Surprise, surprise. The leftwing sociologist opposes an anti-Maoist movement. How shocking. |
| Posted by: john frum 2007-09-24 11:27 |