Caste Identity of Contemporary Naxalites: Reading the Battles of the Naxals Against the Caste Hierarchy Through a Close Reading of A Naxal Story (2008)

Abstract

This article aims to study the relationship between caste and contemporary Naxal organizations through A Naxal Story (2008) by Diptendra Raychaudhuri. Through the text, the article explores how the caste identity and attempt to eradicate the intricate web of caste hierarchy played a prominent role in the formation of one of the contemporary Naxal organizations. The interweaving of the historical facts and the literary depiction is one of the prime reasons for choosing this text. This text acts as forming a bridge between the 70s’ Naxalbari movement and the contemporary organizations. It traces the political lineage of the Naxalbari movement and how the gap in recognizing the caste inequality acted as a motive in the formation of some of the new organizations. Through the attempt of the protagonist and its failure, the text reveals the reality of the caste scenario in India and the endeavour of at least a few left-militant organizations to end the structure despite the regular repression by state machinery and militant upper-caste organizations. Hence, this article traces the presence of caste inequality and how the caste identities contribute to the creation and development of contemporary radical Naxal organizations as well as militant Hindu organizations.