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Charu MazumdarLeader of the Indian communist movement, revolutionary
Country:
 India |
Content:
- Charu Majumdar: Pioneer of the Naxalite Movement
- Embracing Maoist Ideals
- Formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)
- Naxalbari Uprising and Growth
- Guerilla Warfare and Urban Insurgency
- Decline and Death
- Capture and Demise
Charu Majumdar: Pioneer of the Naxalite Movement
Early Life and Political ActivismCharu Majumdar, the revered leader of the Indian communist movement, was born in Siliguri, West Bengal, to a wealthy landowner family. In 1938, he joined the Communist Party of India (CPI), emerging as a prominent figure in the peasant movement during the 1940s.
Embracing Maoist Ideals
In the early 1960s, Majumdar adopted Maoist principles and criticized the Soviet Union's Khrushchev-led leadership. His criticism escalated during the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, resulting in his arrest and detention alongside other Maoist-leaning communists.
Formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)
In 1964, Majumdar joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist), a breakaway faction from the CPI. On April 22, 1969, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) or CPI(ML), becoming its General Secretary.
Naxalbari Uprising and Growth
Majumdar believed in the importance of a secretive and elite vanguard party. Under his leadership, the CPI(ML)'s popularity surged among Bengali peasants during widespread agrarian unrest. The Naxalbari uprising, violently suppressed by the government, became the namesake for the movement, which expanded into neighboring states.
Guerilla Warfare and Urban Insurgency
To evade authorities, Majumdar established connections with radical student groups in Calcutta. He orchestrated the training of students in guerrilla warfare tactics, forming mobile squads for urban combat. This led to police crackdowns, including extrajudicial killings. The CPI(ML) responded with attacks on police stations and prison convoys, notably the escape of 11 Naxalite leaders from a Siliguri prison in 1970.
Decline and Death
Despite support from urban underclass and the criminal underworld, the movement faced intense repression, including infiltration, provocateurs, and brutal interrogations. As a result, the movement's urban activity diminished by 1971.
Capture and Demise
On July 16, 1972, Majumdar was apprehended in Calcutta. His location was obtained through torture. Twelve days later, he died in police custody, allegedly due to a heart attack. His legacy continues to inspire communist movements in India.
