Notes from the hinterland

"The Burning Forest: India’s war in Bastar" by Nandini Sundar is a difficult but essential read. Difficult because in page after unrelenting page the author documents in meticulous detail the grave atrocities committed (as a routine, even boring practice) on tribals in Bastar by state, quasi-state and non-state players, with an astounding and assured sense of impunity and immunity. Essential because even though we really don't care as to what happens to those sub-human poor forest dwellers in distant Chattisgarh, there is half a chance that in some deep recesses of our essential conscience, there may awaken a spark that may light the proverbial fire. The author, however, is not very hopeful. Such are the times...