Chhattisgarh: The Future of India?

There are multiple insurgencies all over India. Noted writer and dissident intellectual Arundhati Roy says there is “a juggernaut of injustices” sparking revolt. Many of the struggles are taking place around the corporate exploitation of natural resources and the displacement of largely indigenous people who live in areas rich in minerals and timber. But there’s a lot of push back. People are organizing to defend their land and culture against predatory corporations who are working hand in hand with the government. This corporate-state alliance is on full display in Chhattisgarh state. India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh let the cat out of the bag when he said, “If left-wing extremism continues to flourish where there are natural resources, the climate for investment would certainly be affected.” Indeed it would. So New Delhi is expanding its military operations to crush the resistance.

Interview by David Barsamian.