The following appeared in Outlook (April 12). The implications, danger and urgency of this should speak for itself. Arundhati Roy has just publicly stepped out in defense of the tribal people and Maoist fighters targeted by the Indian governments Operation Green Hunt.

Thanks to Kasama for pointing it out.

Chhatisgarh Police Mulls Action Against Arundhati Roy

First came the report in today’s Hindi daily Nai Duniya, published from Bhopal, with the dateline Raipur, that the police in Chhattisgarh was considering action against author Arundhati Roy under under Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act-2005. And then came the corroboration from various police sources.

Apparently, one Vishwajit Mitra, has lodged a complaint at the Telibanda police station in Raipur, pointing out that the contents and photographs of Arundhati Roy’s essay Walking With The Comrades, published in the March 29 issue of Outlook could attract action as an offence under Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act-2005.

The complaint has also been sent to the governor Shekhar Dutt, Chief Minister Raman Singh and Director General of Police Vishwaranjan, demanding legal action against Arundhati Roy.

Nai Duniya had earlier reported that DGP Vishwaranjan had confirmed receipt of the complaint and asked the State Intelligence Bureau to enquire into the merits of the case against the Booker prize winning author.

The Indian Express quotes the police as saying: “We are examining it to find out whether any offence has been committed”.

The complainant, Vishwajit Mitra, told The Indian Express that Arundhati’s essay had sought to not only “glorify” the Maoists but also denigrate the country’s established system, including the judiciary. “Referring to a Maoist ‘Jan adalat’, she says in her essay that “in most jan adalats, at least the collective is physically present to make a decision. It’s not made by judges who’ve lost touch with ordinary life”, he pointed out, alleging that the writer also sought to justify Maoist other activities.

“Let the police investigate into my complaint and take a position. I am also keeping my options open to move the appropriate court to initiate legal action against the writer”, he said.

Human Rights activist Dr Binayak Sen was in jail for nearly two years under the same law for which action has been demanded against Arundhati Roy. Dr Sen was arrested on the charges of having links with the Maoists.

Thanks to vrinternationalists for this.

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Spotted at Ernesto Aguilar's blog. Houston airing of this documentary is today at 4 p.m. on 90.1 KPFT.

Community radio stations across the United States and internationally are expected to share a remarkable documentary today on India’s Naxalite insurgency, told from the perspective of that South Asian country’s most oppressed people.

Free Speech Radio News, renowned for its investigative reporting, hosts a weekday news program, featuring independent journalists from around the world. On Dec. 25, it is broadcasting to its affiliates “Maoist India: The Search for Economic Justice,” a half-hour special on the Naxal movement. Check the list of stations broadcasting the Naxalite documentary to find where it’s playing in your area, or listen on FSRN’s website.

At a time when criticism of Operation Green Hunt is growing, and on a day when many people are home and able to listen to the radio, this documentary is one of the most important openings to educate the general public about the abuses India’s poorest face, and their organizing for revolutionary change. This program is as harrowing as it is enraging. The voices of people tortured and raped by Indian police, farmers battling for their very survival and Naxalites who stand to defend them are all a part of the program. Their stories are at points sorrowful. Their determination in many instances is inspiring. This is a program everyone should hear.

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The following article discusses the Communist Party of India (Maoist)'s announcement that all exploitative and predatory will be abolished in the areas they have liberated. The article comes from the bourgeois press and is written from a distorted and pro-imperialist perspective, but we are posting it for informational purposes. Special thanks to Jed Brandt for this.

Farmers in West Midnapore district of West Bengal may not have to repay their crop loans. The Maoists have announced a waiver. This is the first time the rebel group has announced such a decision.

“Several peasants who took crop loans over the last two years have suffered losses. So, we have decided that they don’t have to pay back their loans,” said Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

“Moreover, no agricultural cooperative, bank or private money lender will be allowed to charge more than two per cent interest on loans they advance to peasants this year,” he added.

Cooperative and public sector banks usually charge 7 per cent interest on agri loans. Private moneylenders charge much more – between 3 per cent and 5 per cent a  month.

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"A 15 minute trailer on human rights violations in Chattisgargh resulting from Operation Green Hunt."

Thanks to David Pugh for sending us this.

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