Most people rule out a violent revolution. Perhaps they're right. But consider the current scene. The ex-chief minister of Punjab is being chargesheeted for corruption. Possibly he will be arrested. The ex-CM of Uttar Pradesh has also been chargesheeted for corruption. Possibly she will be arrested too. The chief minister of Chhattisgarh has been chargesheeted for forgery. Possibly he will be arrested after the election in his state ends. (He is leading his party's poll campaign.)
One year has passed, and the Supreme Court has yet to pronounce judgement on the Tansi corruption case in which the Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalitha is the accused.
The former Bihar CM, today's de facto CM, has been surviving corruption charges for years.
A central cabinet minister has obtained a stay against criminal charges being framed against him. The deputy prime minister was chargesheeted in the same case but was let off by the court. Petitions filed in higher courts are challenging his discharge.
A former UP minister, a senior leader of the present ruling party, has been arrested on a murder charge. A state unit leader of the same party in Maharashtra has been charged for links with Dawood Ibrahim.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) requested the Supreme Court to order retrial of a case involving 14 genocide victims in Gujarat. BJP leaders have criticised the NHRC. But during the retrial, the Gujarat police confessed that the prosecution had been subverted. Nobody has even thought of demanding the resignation or dismissal of the Gujarat government.
The chargesheeted ex-CM of Uttar Pradesh and the current chief minister of Chhattisgarh are alleging victimisation because they are scheduled caste and scheduled tribe members. The middle class dismisses these allegations. But Dalits and tribals recall the corruption by leaders of the privileged class that went unpunished. One ex-prime minister remained free even after the discovery of a 145-crore urea scam involving his family. Another remains free after the CBI investigated a 100-crore scam involving wheat imports from Australia. Such instances can be multiplied manifold.
One chargesheeted leader has accused the PM's family of amassing wealth illegally. Not a shred of evidence has been furnished though. But mass dharnas against the PM are already being organised. When public faith is totally eroded, what will people believe?
It is in this context that the Maoists targeted the Andhra CM. Maoist groups exist in many states. They have even formed a committee to coordinate South Asian activities. If they start targeting leaders instead of landlords, will people support Maoists or governments?
