Red Skies Falling Stars by Diti Sen examines Naxalism as it emerged in Calcutta of late 60s and early 70s, what it is believed to be and what is the reality from the perspective of its adherents, especially now that several state governments seem to be handling, or rather, mishandling the situation, with some reluctant help from the Centre.
Rumi, the protagonist, sees her college-going sister Amrita change even as caste equations are modified after landless in Naxalbari take on the landlords and the police. After that there was only the jungle hideouts – not much has changed even today: ‘They moved camp soon after, within the forest, for no place was safe for very long…The mornings were taken up with training and indoctrination, learning jungle warfare…Often the Leader would give impassioned, logical speeches about class enemies and no one could deny that what he said made perfect sense.’ Ishaan who saw it all as a child, migrates and returns to provide a Canadian perspective to this tricky problem.
Red Skies Falling Stars
by Diti Sen
Jaico Publishing
Rs.195