ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part analyzes the interaction between the movements and the government as the movements have organized protest around several issues and focuses on issues of work and wages. The Naxalite experience demonstrated the futility of undertaking immediate violent action to overthrow the Indian government. The movements are using the government's need to maintain its legitimacy as a tool with which to mobilize the poor and move government in a progressive direction. These movements, like the Naxalites in Srikakulam, are organized among a largely tribal population, the "adivasis." Some of the issues important to Shramik Sanghatana and Bhoomi Sena have been of particular relevance to tribals, such as the alienation of tribal land to non-tribals. Indian governments are elected democratically and must therefore give, at the minimum, the appearance of working for the uplift of the poor who are the majority of India's population and electorate.
