The recent arrest of a Maoist couple in Tirupur has fuelled a concern whether the textile town is becoming vulnerable to the spread of radical Communism.
While a revival of Naxalism may seem far-fetched now, trade unions and others watching the town’s transformation over the years feel the denial of democratic and trade union rights and changes in its demography could turn Tirupur into a fertile ground for radical movements.
“It has not yet become the hub for Maoist activities. But the circumstances prevailing in the town are in favour of it,” said senior CPI leader K. Subbarayan, who has represented the constituency in the Assembly many times, commenting on arrest of Maoist couple Rupesh and Shyna in the town a few days ago.
Industrialisation and urbanisation have changed the town’s face. Some say it has provided asylum for criminals on the run, who could masquerade as textile workers. “The arrest of Maoists is probably the first incident, even though I have been noticing propaganda material of radical Communists in recent times,” said Mr. Subbarayan.
Usury is all-pervasive in the city as the earnings of an ordinary worker are too low for a decent living. “Workers’ settlements lack basic amenities and they live in poor conditions,” Mr. Subbarayan said.
According to him, the failure of the State machinery to address the basic issues concerning workers could pave the way for discontent, leading to extremist movements in future. “The authorities turn a blind eye to petitions from ordinary citizen. A lower-level police officer can deny permission to gate-meetings and rallies. When the space for democratic activities is denied, things may go out of control,” said Mr. Subbarayan, who also represented the Coimbatore Lok Sabha Constituency.
Writer M. Gopalakrishnan, whose novel Manarkadigai , probably the first literary work that captures the Tirupur’s transformation, also said there was no evidence so far to suggest that the town was attracting Maoists. He, however, conceded that demographic changes facilitated by the arrival of scores of workers from other States could make it difficult for the police to identify Maoists.
Loss of identity
“Today, workers from other States constitute a major portion of the Tirupur’s workforce. Employers need workers and have no time for screening them or doing background checks. The town has lost its identity and anyone can live here without an identity,” he said.
But Tirupur South MLA K. Thangavel, representing the CPI(M), argued that at a time when mobilising ordinary workers was posing a challenge to trade unionists due to demographic changes, it was impossible for the Maoists to recruit cadres. “Workers from other States are outnumbering the locals and we are forced to print pamphlets and other propaganda material in Hindi. The worker is left with little time for other activities,” said Mr. Thangavel.
