Naxalbari memory & message

CPIML-Liberation supporters with bows and arrows at the
event in Siliguri on Thursday. Picture by Passang Yolmo

TT, Siliguri, May 25: Naxalite leaders today said some political parties were using Naxalbari to reap political dividends as they observed the 50th anniversary of the peasants' uprising at Naxalbari.

Dipankar Bhattacharya, the all India general secretary of the CPIML-Liberation, said Naxalbari that had become synonymous with the movement and was known across the world still held importance for political parties.

"BJP president Amit Shah visited Naxalbari and had lunch at the house of an under-privilege family. Trinamul immediately jumped into action and dragged the poor family into politics. Such moves by political parties reflect their intention to use Naxalbari, which is known for the struggle of farmers and the working class, as per their conveniences and to gain some political mileage," Bhattacharya said at a public meeting organised by his party at Baghajatin Park here.

The CPM and the Congress have also held rallies and meetings in Naxalbari after the BJP and Trinamul moved in.

According to the CPIML-Liberation leader, there are political parties which are against the Naxalbari movement. "Leaders of these political parties had tried to end the naxalite movement that had started from this tiny hamlet and later spread across the country. These days, it is ironical to see leaders of those parties visiting Naxalbari for political interests," he added.

Naxalbari is 25km from here.

The Naxalite leader said the BJP-led government at the Centre and the Trinamul government of the state were despotic.

"The central government has completely failed to keep its promises of providing more jobs and bringing back black money. Instead, the Centre is trying to impose a new idea of patriotism by encouraging vandalism in the name of saving cows. Similarly, the state government is continuing with the practice of attacking farmers," Bhattacharya said.

Back in 1967, peasants protested the highhandedness of a section of landowners which led to violence in Naxalbari.

A group of peasants killed a police officer. In retaliation, police forces were deployed and during a protest, nine persons, including women and a child, were killed in a police firing at Bengaijote.