People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) is a Left wing extremist organisation which has carried out numerous attacks in Jharkhand and nearby states. The name of PLFI used to instil fear in the hearts of political leaders and people across the state. With a wide network in the villages around the predominantly tribal area of Jharkhand, PLFI used to work in Robinhood style under its founder and leader Dinesh Gope. Dinesh Gope has a Rs 25 lakh reward on his head, for being captured dead or alive. This price on his head would be enough to explain the notoriety and menace Dinesh Gope and PLFI are known for. Despite being a Left wing extremist group PLFI has been largely disassociated with ideas of Maoism. A new trend is emerging in the ranks of Left wing extremists in the country and PLFI and Dinesh Gope seem to be heading towards the change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies seems to have changed the stance of these hardcore extremists.
As revealed to an Economics Times reporter by the PLFI chief, Dinesh Gope has explained the reasons why he has no interest or liking for the ideologies of Communism and Maoism. Dinesh Gope said, “Maoism has failed. I don’t believe in the ideology of CPI (Maoist). Their ideology is against the nation. They want to impose Chinese designs in the country. My fight is against them too. What have they (CPI-Maoist) done for the people? They are themselves punjipati. MCC (Maoist Communication Centre, which fused to form CPI-Maoist) actually stands for Money Collection Machine.” These words spoken by a Left wing extremist group leader shows that the true colours of the Maoists and CPI (M) have become clear to the people who had picked up arms in the past.
Dinesh Gope, in the interview, also cleared the air about his past life and why he chose the path of extremism. He said that he was not against the Constitution of India and had chosen the path of extremism after leaving the Indian army to fight against the injustice faced by people in his region. He cites Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh as his source of inspiration for choosing the path of armed struggle against oppression and injustice. He further goes on to say that Anna Hazare was a leader who could have changed the face of India but for his movement being sabotaged by people from inside his movement.
Dinesh Gope further went on to say that PM Modi was a great leader and a hardworking one as well. He quite admires PM Modi and his work style as well and also adds that he is the leader India needs. In his own words, “Modi ji sahi neta hain, lekin unke aaspaas aadmi theek nahi hain. Woh bahut mehnat karte hain (Modi ji is a suitable leader, but people around him are not good. He works very hard).” This is a big statement coming from a present day extremist leader of PLFI.
Probably one of the unlikeliest endorsement of PM Modi and his hard work has come from an extremist leader from Jharkhand. PM Modi’s approach towards ensuring zero corruption and changing the system so that the help given actually reaches to the people who need it is being approved by Dinesh Gope. It means that with changing times these extremists will be ready to join mainstream way of life and will be ready to lay down arms. Their breakaway from the Maoist ideology is one more thing to heartily cheer for.