India has always been a land where freedom of expression has been accepted, encouraged and cultivated. Be it philosophy, religion, sociology or any other field of study, views and counter-views have flourished uninhibited. Over time when one point of view takes center stage in any field, there inevitably have been people who have barged in to counter the prevailing narrative – people who have disrupted the status quo – people who have made others think.

Under such circumstances one key question arises. On what basis do we trust this (new or alternative) take? What should be the basis of accepting one as “aapta” – “trustworthy”?

In my opinion, there are 3 primary considerations for accepting anyone’s point of view.

1)     It must be based on truth - must be built on facts.

2)     It must appeal to logic.

3)     It must be backed by experience – by proof.

Vivek Agnihotri’s book – “Urban Naxals” – is one of the first books in the mainstream literary world that provides a orthogonal take of the issue of Naxalism and its current manifestation. The book can be termed as a biography of his movie “Buddha In a Traffic Jam” revolving around the various experiences he had during, and after, the making of the film. The book exposes the real, and very ugly, face of Naxalism as it has transformed into today. Specifically, it focuses on how Naxals and Naxalism enjoys patronage and support, both financial and ideological, from the urban intellectual cabal. Vivek takes a controversial topic and boldly exposes its true and ugly side. Naturally, the question that comes up is – is this book trustworthy? Can we accept it as “aapta”?

Urban Naxals – The Source

Although there are four parts in the book, I see it as consisting of three sections – the background and preparation, the struggle during the making of the movie and the eventual response. The first two parts of the book focus on the background and the preparation. Vivek takes us through various incidents in his life in these two parts. Right from his days in college when he came under the influence of the dramatics professor who also happened to be a Naxal sympathizer and supporter leading to a situation where he almost became a Naxal himself, to the incidents in his profession where he had to struggle for success – Vivek provides a very frank yet lucid narration of what led to the decision of making the movie.

The short chapters, each of which is laced with various anecdotes, builds up to the stage where he decided that making this movie was a defining point in his life. He was meant to make this movie – to show the real side of Urban Naxalism to India. The seed containing the idea for this movie was embedded in his mind during his college days – the failures in his profession acted as the tilling of the soil – and the harrowing journey to Jaipur along with this family proved to the monsoon shower – it was inevitable then that the movie had to sprout. And luckily for us – he nurtured it and ensured it grew.

Urban Naxals – The Logic

This book is going to be difficult for even staunch critics to refute. It is built on a foundation of strong research – not just on the chief topic of Naxalism – but also on every possible peripheral topic connected with it. Several chapters in the second part of the book give deep insights into the origins of Naxalism in Naxalbari, its growth, its impact on the lives of affected people and its current state. There is also a good amount of discussion on the topic of terrorism itself. You will even find a good introduction into the puranic origins of the Bastar region!

To go along with fine details on various topics, Vivek also adds his own perspective on numerous topics every now and then. Those who are familiar with his style of operating his social media accounts know how he gets very philosophical on various topics each morning. My guess therefore is that this entire book was written only in the mornings J Whether it is the difference between a problem and a crisis or the real definition of hell – you will find a beautiful explanation for all in this work.

The content for this book has been based on solid research along with the outcome of deep thought over personal experiences.

Urban Naxals – The Experience

The movie “Buddha In A Traffic Jam” shows the connection between violent Naxalites operating in the jungles and the intellectual leftist-liberal gang in urban India. Naturally anyone who is exposed to this topic for the first time is bound to question if what is shown in the movie is really true. However, the author gets lucky here. Both during the making of the movie – when everyone from the producers to well established actors to distributors refuse to be a part of the movie – to the eventual struggle with the release and screening – one thing becomes clear – a huge section of today’s media, cinema-world and academia sympathizes with Communism and Naxalism. The process of making the movie and the process of screening it – both these by themselves serve as proof to establish that the content of the movie is completely based on truth!

The third part of the book showcases Vivek’s struggles with Bollywood during the making of the movie and its subsequent showcasing. An actor, who has recently become very well-known due to her strong left ideology, creates tantrums at every stage before signing, forcing the makers to give up on her casting. The producer who had blindly agreed to support the movie backs out after the work is ready. Every distributor approached backs out from supporting its release. This book shows the ugly side and naked reality of Bollywood – where ideas and freedom of expression mean nothing – and nothing except money matters.

The fourth part of the movie, in my opinion, is the most eye-opening one. It details the great efforts put in to release the movie and ensure it reaches the intended audience. Vivek takes a really bold and unconventional decision to showcase the movie in major Universities and Institutes of India – even before its official release. Multiple chapters in this part of the book take us through his experience at the various screenings. These chapters bring out a great contrast prevailing in our institutions today. While the majority of students and staff are strong supporters of freedom of expression, creativity and truth, the control of most of these institutions is actually in the hands of “Urban Naxals”. The hostile, and even violent, reaction to the movie in several institutions, especially in some prestigious law institutions – is worrying to read.

In spite of all these obstacles – the movie finally makes it through. Thousands of students have watched it and appreciated the truth shown in it.

A Mirror to our Institutions

 In my opinion, there are two great contributions this book makes – brutal and uncompromising exposure of the media and Bollywood on one side – and the sorry state of many of our educational institutions. The exposure of the former is especially bold because it comes from an insider. Many of us have always sensed Bollywood to be a den of the compromised. Vivek’s book certifies our belief.

The biggest service Vivek makes through this book though is highlighting the dangerous state our educational institutions are in today. The last few chapters of the book gives details about how the student leaders and staff in many prestigious institutions tried to sabotage the screening of the movie, how he was subjected to hostile questioning after the screening and how he was even physically assaulted in one or two places.

The Left is truly the personification of hypocrisy. They go on yapping about freedom of expression and tolerance. Yet they have no tolerance to an opposing point of view. They have no qualms in trying to ensure a movie which shows the real face of Naxalism is not screened. They claim to be anti-violence and against atrocities being committed on the downtrodden. Yet they physically assault those who expose their true colours.

The ills of leftist ideology have affected some of our premier educational institutions. These can only be a sample set of the real lot. The book, just like the movie it talks about, exposes this unfortunate and alarming reality. This book is in effect a free, yet substantial, study on the state of our institutions. In the ideal world, it will wake up the powers-that-be to the dangers of letting left-liberal ideology run amok amongst our students.

Conclusion

Personally, I maintain one criterion to decide whether a book was worth reading - it should lead me to at least one other book. Whether through a direct reference or based on the topic it covers and the insights it provides, if a book causes me to pick up another one – I consider that book to be worth the time spent. By that measure “Urban Naxals” is a great book. It is bound to compel every reader to indulge into not just the reading of another book but to delve into the entire topic of Naxalism, Communism and their danger to Indian society.

During the pre-release screening of the movie, Vivek and his team have done some outstanding work exposing the ugly side of Naxalism to thousands of students, who are the future of this country. A lot many of them are sure to wake up and realize the dangers of such a violent ideology.

This book is taking that work to the next level.

I sincerely hope this book leads to something big. I wish this book initiates a movement – a movement to free our institutions from Urban Naxals – a movement to free our people from Naxalism.

Congratulations Vivek. Your book is “aapta”.

Satyameva Jayate.

Vande Mataram.