Maoist Message

“Radical Resistance and Political Violence Today” by Nivedita Menon (epw, 12 December 2009) puts the limitations of Maoist theory and practice into scrutiny. It also expresses some of the heartfelt differences we – the sundry supporters of New Social Movements in the middle class – have with Maoists. However, I feel compelled to disagree with Menon for three reasons.

First, by not even referring to what is Maoism or asking the reason for the massive adivasi support to the Maoist guerrillas, Menon has done the same injustice Tom Bottomore inflicted on Maoists long ago. He edited a Dictionary of Marxist Thought in 1983 but did not carry an entry on Maoism in it. Maoism, as we know, is a revolutionary political trend. Besides India, Maoism appeals to the poor in Nepal, Peru and the Philippines. Maoism, inter alia, militates against the peace even the mainstream left has made with the global imperialist order.