The mystery of a ‘CPI (Maoist)’ press release, and the ‘conspiracy’ over its Darshan Pal

FARMER leader Darshan Pal finds himself in a peculiar pickle. On Wednesday, a press release was issued in the name of the CPI (Maoist) saying it was dismissing “Comrade Joseph (Darshan Pal)” for “anti-party factional activities” after his Naxal “links” were exposed, along with another member. Apart from the fact that the CPI (Maoist) is itself the alleged spearhead of Naxalism, and banned by the government, the Darshan Pal it was referring to was quickly assumed to be the Darshan Pal involved in the year-long agitation against the Central farm laws.

An anaesthetist who is the founder-president of the Krantikari Kisan Union (KKU), Punjab, and a member of the national coordination committee of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), 72-year-old Pal says he initially ignored the calls of concern that flooded in. Till, they kept coming.

“I too saw the CPI (Maoist) statement. Earlier I ignored it, but now it seems I need to clarify my point as I am not the person mentioned in the so-called press release,” Pal told The Indian Express. “I have never been associated with such a political party which is underground, or with any political party. I have never ever been involved in political activities, and my work is purely for farmers. My writings, my resolutions, my work clearly show who I am… How can you say that the name mentioned in the CPI (Maoist) statement is me?”

KKU general secretary Gurmeet Singh Mehma believes there could be “a deep conspiracy” to defame Pal”. “We strongly condemn this action by whoever is behind it. A section of the media is also painting him as a Maoist party member, which is incorrect.”

Harinder Singh Lakhowal, the president of the BKU (Bharatiya Kisan Union), Lakhowal, says: “We have worked with Dr Darshan Pal