Though I do not wield a gun like you, I consider
myself also a revolutionary. Primarily I am a social revolutionary. I think,
as revolutionaries we have some common points between us. We are ready to lay
down our lives in the cause of our ideals and goals. Thus, in our effort to
achieve our ideal we are more determined and firm. Under any circumstances, we
eagerly try our best to restlessly progress towards our goals. Though the
methods and means differ, I feel, our goal is the same; to help the people lead
their lives for themselves with self-respect and self-confidence.
Recently you held talks with the Government.
In my opinion, these talks were held between two unequal parties. Hence, it is
very difficult to achieve fruitful results. As revolutionaries, in relation to
idealism and social action, you are far above the others. You represent none
except revolution, but government is not like that. Particularly, in democracy,
when representatives are elected by voters, they represent only the average of
voters. Among voters on the one side they are highly rich, on the other they
are very poor. Likewise, on the one side they will be intellectuals, on the
other illiterate common people. Similarly, on the one hand they will be highly
moral, and on the other hand antisocials. Thus, among voters we find the two
extremes of even character of the society. Government represents only the
average of all these extremes. I fence, government can neither be as the best
in the society, nor as bad as the worst in the society. Thus, as individuals, those in the government
though possess highest qualities of
character, as representatives of the government, they represent only the
average level of the people. In such a situation, you, who belong to the
highest level in the society, have spoken with those who represent the average
level of society. Now, it is time for you to meet and talk with those who are
similar to you, possessing high values of sacrifice and idealism. Only then
both can mutually understand and appreciate each other and evolve an opportunity
for collective think ing in terms of common good.
Some people may doubt how there can be an
understanding between two different thinking people. One, subscribing to
violence, and the other from the diametrically opposite view of non-violence.
But, we must understand that the reality of life is neither completely full of non-violence,
nor is it full of violence. Life is a mixture of both. Therefore, even a person
like Mahatma Gandhi had to say that non-violence was better than violence, but
violence was better than cowardice. Generally, in life, secrecy, untruth,
inequalities and dictatorship are associated with violence, and on the other
hand, truth, openness, equality and democracy are linked to non-violence. Because
of this, the institution of state is increasingly preferring democracy, though
it may be weak in practice. On the other hand when Gandhi came nobody could
even imagine that non-violence could also be a means of revolution. Thus, Gandhi
lifted non-violence from the level of the individual and made it a weapon of
revolution to be used collectively at the social level. At the same time, he (Gandhi) recognised the limitations
of non-violence. Similarly, if the armed revolutionaries also recognise the limitations
of violence, all of as can come closer and find a space to think together and to
work together. Just before his death Gandhi realised that India would
face a violent and bloody revolution,
if the inequities of society were
not eliminated. Hence, I believe, if violence can be reserved as a last
resort, then there can be an opportunity for us to work together. Also we have to educate and organize the people
against the international economic imperialism-
which is invading us at a fast rate.
If you wish, I am
ready to meet you to discuss issues of mutual concern. If we can put violence and non-violence aside
and think of the good of the people, then it would become clear where and how
we can work together. Hence, if you
desire to talk to me, I myself,
will come to you and we can spend together a week or ten days. I will
not come to you representing anyone. Just as I am, Lavanam, an individual, I
come to you as a fellow revolutionary. Please consider this invitation. Let
us look for new avenues of vision Let us search new paths for revolution. Let
us try and find some space where we can work together I look forward for your response.
I address this open letter with a view to let the
people understand that as revolutionaries we have some common points. As
revolutionaries let us understand each other, let us search for situations
where we can work together; let us look
for avenues where we can progress together
hand in hand. Every revolution is a new path. Nobody has stepped earlier on this ground. Hence,
in finding the way and laying the path, we may err, but with self-introspection
we may correct our faults. In this changing world let us try to evolve new
means of evolution to reach our goals. Even if we do not succeed, certainly, we will not fail, because we are ever
ready to go beyond the current situation and progress further to achieve the
goal. I request you to kindly give serious thought to these views and responds.
After I released the open letter addressed to
Maoists on July 9th. I received response from Sri Gaddar, one of
their representatives available to others, on July 14th. He met me
and appreciated my initiative. He said I would be welcome to meet them and
discuss various issues. But he said we have to wait for the appropriate time.
Afterwards my colleague Sri P. Ramesh kept himself in touch with Sri Gaddar. He
also met Sri Varavara Rao and Sri Kalyana Rao, the other two representatives of
the Maoists who are available to the public. We were planning to meet on August
19th to chalk out the details of my visit to the Maoist leaders. In
the meanwhile on August 15th a Maoist Dalam in broad daylight in the
middle of an Independence Day function killed Sri Narasi Reddy, a legislator
and 10 others. In Narayanpet of Mahaboobnagar Dist, A. P. I issued a statement condemning this ghastly
incident. The State Government took a serious note of this incident and on 17th
August imposed a ban on the Maoist party and on its associate organizations. Sri Kalyana Rao and Sri Varavara
Rao were immediately arrests. I issued a statement condemning the ban and the
arrests at Hyderabad on 20th August. So temporarily my efforts to
meet the Maoist leaders have come to a halt. It may have to be restarted after
some time.