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Lalgarh and the Legend of Kishanji: Tales from India's Maoist Movement
'India is an unbroken chain of broken promises.'In 2009, Lalgarh in West Bengal exploded on to the national consciousness. A tribal upsurge against police atrocities escalated into fierce, full-fledged guerrilla warfare against the Indian state. Kishanji, the Maoist leader, who had successfully led the movement in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar, was in charge. He masterminded military offensives that shook the state, supervised 'alternative development activities' and repeatedly escaped security dragnets. But what truly confounded the state were his telephonic interviews with the media, often on live television, and the frequent press conferences. Kishanji was indeed the face of the Maoist movement in India - until the tables turned.Snigdhendu Bhattacharya was on the ground in Lalgarh, meeting Kishanji, speaking to Maoists and reporting on one of the bloodiest Naxal uprisings as it unfolded, right up to its sudden, chilling end. This is an epic tale of war not only between the state and the Maoists but also between a callous state and its desperate citizens.
- GenresIndiaHistoryNonfiction
352 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 21, 2021
The author writes a journalistic tome, cooped up in his vantage point. It's detailed, undoubtedly, but almost no detail is surprising or innovative, having already come to us through media reporting. This book does not speak of the background, does not delve into details and as such does allow the reader free space to formulate his own conclusions. Nevertheless, the fact that it does not make a Hero out of either Koteshwar Rao or the ones who were hunting him, is much appreciated.
March 8, 2018
A Balanced Account
This book won't give you a background to the history of the naxal movement in 20th century India but starts off almost a decade after the turn of the century.
However it is extremely detailed and presents both sides for the movement in Bengal that at one point was making India wonder if all would be lost to the gun.
It's not the story of a hero or a villain but a tale of how the world is moving forward and how the movement is struggling to catch up.
This book won't give you a background to the history of the naxal movement in 20th century India but starts off almost a decade after the turn of the century.
However it is extremely detailed and presents both sides for the movement in Bengal that at one point was making India wonder if all would be lost to the gun.
It's not the story of a hero or a villain but a tale of how the world is moving forward and how the movement is struggling to catch up.
June 15, 2020
The author was on the ground in Lalgarh, meeting Kishanji, speaking to Maoists and reporting on one of the bloodiest Naxal uprisings as it unfolded, right up to its sudden and chilling end. This narrates a tale of war between the republic as also between a callous state and its desperate citizens.
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November 10, 2023Completed reading
"Lalgarh and the legend of Kishanji"
by Snigdhendu Bhattacharya aka @SnigSpeak.
A must read for those who want to understand India in total!
I wish more such "tales" from deep inside our country are told, which would make us understand our people better.
#naxals
"Lalgarh and the legend of Kishanji"
by Snigdhendu Bhattacharya aka @SnigSpeak.
A must read for those who want to understand India in total!
I wish more such "tales" from deep inside our country are told, which would make us understand our people better.
#naxals
October 20, 2021
Red Sun will rise over India one day and the masses will be liberated
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews