Civil War..Not Yet

Was having a conversation with a few 'fresh out of college' colleagues. It was amazing to know that they did have an opinion, and a strong one at that, about the problems plaguing this country. They had an especially severe opinion about military action for the Maoist problem.

Most of us are now at a point in time where we have decided to take one or the other side. Some of us have become "Maoist" sympathizers while others have decided to go the way of the government. The news channel beam in news of every attack by the Maoists and every case of mis-governance by the government as a breaking stories and the masses take to one or the other side.

Its but human nature to seek rash, easy solutions to complex problems. The problem of Maoist Violence is just that, an extremely complex problem for which a simple solution like military action will not suffice. Have been reading an interesting book about decision making lately, and it states a very basic yet very easily ignored fact. Complex problems need complex and meticulous planning and solutions. An out an out war is definitely not one. Every now and again we see dumb efforts to estimate the Maoist strength being made by analysts and thinkers. I say dumb, because in a country where so many people live below the poverty line and where the devoid between the haves and have not's grows every day, the Maoists will have more foot soldiers available than we can make bullets.

Without development, without food, shelter, clothing, education and financial security there will be no end to this problem. A lot of people today are suggesting that the solution would be to suppress the movement for now and then provide development. But can such a movement be suppressed. And will the government provide development where it hasn't for 62 years. Its like trying to reverse engineer a building. The development has to come first, only then can the violence stop.

I am not a Maoist sympathizer. In fact some of their acts of violence are deplorable to say the least. Indeed I believe that there are some amongst their ranks who don't really want development for the tribal people, but rather are trying to get their own. Yet, I can understand why one would take up arms in the face of desperate poverty.

We are on the brink of conflict. And a conflict there will be. Its size though is yet unknown. Only we can reduce its scale by making sure that more and more people do not join the Maoist ranks. Those who have joined are in it for good. But there are others facing desperate situations in their day to day life who haven't taken to violence yet. It is for us to help them, by whatever means possible.

Its up to us to make sure that this doesn't blow out into a civil war. Cant help but remember Plato's statement..."Only the dead know the end of war!!".. its for us to decide how many will die!