Unlike Narendra Modi, Jual Oram wants soft steps to curb Naxalism

NEW DELHI: Tribal affairs minister Jual Oram believes Naxalism can be resolved only by winning the hearts and minds of tribals who form the leadership and the infantry of the outlawed groups, rubbishing the belief that the Narendra Modi-led BJP views it as a security issue that requires strong-arm measures.
"BJP sees Naxalism as a social problem and will try to solve it accordingly," Oram told TOI.

"You cannot solve Naxalism merely through development. Constructing roads or rail tracks is good but that is not enough. Naxalites can blow them up. We have to go to the Naxalites, to tribals and talk to them, win them over," he added.

While advocating a soft approach in dealing with the outlaws, Oram said tribals had drifted to the Naxal fold having lost trust in the system.

"The tribals have been cheated, oppressed by police, forest department, excise department, by the administration. They have lost faith. That is helping the Naxalites. We have to woo them back," he said.

Oram's strong advocacy for a soft approach is in stark contrast to the zero-tolerance espoused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In an interview to TOI during the elections, Modi had said, "Maoism and terrorism are the biggest threats to our internal security. I have always advocated a zero-tolerance approach to these problems. Further, we need a clear-cut legal framework to address these challenges. Regardless of what are the reasons for the people to resort to violence, our ability to deal with it should not be compromised by the lack of preparedness."

While the difference of approach between the PM and his minister may appear yawning, Oram, in-charge tribal welfare, is bound to advocate the "root cause" approach which may not be a true reflection of the thinking of the government's leadership.

Speaking to TOI, Oram said his top priority would be to win the hearts of tribals who populate the Naxal-infested zones, be it in Bastar or Odisha or Jharkhand. While agreeing that Naxalism had an internal security strand, he added, "It is a multi-dimensional problem and we have to deal with it likewise."