KOZHIKODE: Porattam leader M.N Ravunni says the 1967 Naxalbari uprising is still relevant in Indian situations as the factors that triggered it persist even after 50 years. Talking at the discussion ‘current significance of Naxalbari uprising’ as part of observing its 50th anniversary, organised by CPI (ML) Red Flag here on Thursday, he said poverty, lack of food grains and unemployment led the revolt. “These reasons are still prevailing in the country. Now, Hindutva forces are meticulously hiding these glaring truths using their propaganda machinery,” he said.
He criticised communist parties treading the parliamentary path and asked what Marxism has to do with it. CPI (ML) Red Flag state secretary P.C. Unni Chekkan observed that the Naxalbari instigated the government to implement land reforms act though in a tweaked manner. “We have not materialised the India that we dreamt of while walking towards freedom in 1947. Hence, the uprising holds significance even now,” he said.
He called for corrections within all communist parties and applying Marxism in the proper context in suitable Indian conditions. “Indian parliament has 403 billionaire MPs. The number of such elected representatives is on the rise. On the other end, no communist party is at the forefront of farmers’ struggles,” he said. K.P. Sethunath, Dr K.N. Ajoy Kumar and others spoke.
