CPI (Maoist) Central Committee spokesperson, Comrade Abhay, called for a Bharat Bandh on June 10 condemning the killing of the Maoist party’s General Secretary Namballa Kesava Rao alias Basavaraj in an encounter in Chhattisgarh on May 21.
Comrade Abhay said at the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, large numbers of commando and paramilitary forces and State Police raided forests in the Maad area of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanapur district and killed many cadres of the PLGA, (the armed wing of the CPI (Maoist)).
Memorial meetings in honor of the slain Maoists have to be conducted from June 11 to August 3 across the country to condemn the encounter and protest against ‘Operation Kagaar’, Comrade Abhay stated.
Comrade Abhay declared that Kesava Rao, in his 51 years of revolutionary life, made great contributions to the party and that his death was a great loss to the Maoist movement, adding that despite this loss the Maoist party would regroup and recover.
During the past 53 years, the CPI (Maoist) lost many Central and State committee leaders in encounters, but the Maoist party continued its fight for the oppressed classes and poorer sections of society, Comrade Abhay remarked.
Below we publish commemorations to CPI General Secretary Namballa Kesava Rao alias Basavaraj.
PBSP/Bangladesh CC Statement In Memorial Of CPI (Maoist) GS Basavaraj And His Fellow Comrades
On May 21, 2025, in Narayanpur, a border region between the Indian states of Chhattisgarh and Telangana, India’s Hindutva- fascist Modi–Amit Shah regime carried out a barbaric assassination of Comrade Namballa Kesava Rao, known as Basavaraj, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), along with 28 fellow comrades. Our Party extends its heartfelt tribute and proletarian internationalist revolutionary salute to them and to the revolutionary masses who were victims of the genocidal “Kagaar” operation. We lower the Party flag in their honor.
We express our deep condolences to the Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist), all Party members, the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the Janatana Sarkar, the proletarian class of India, the bereaved families of the martyrs, and the broad revolutionary masses.
At the same time, we express our strong outrage and condemnation against the genocidal and destructive campaign of brutal repression carried out in the name of Maoist extermination.
The martyrdom of Comrade Basavaraj is an irreparable loss for the people of India and for the exploited and oppressed peoples of the world. He lived a life fully devoted to the service of the people and had led the advancing Maoist movement in India with great skill over the past 7 to 8 years.
The fascist Modi–Amit Shah regime, lackeys of imperialism, are celebrating the death of the comrades with frenzied joy, as though the revolution has come to an end. They are indulging in a daydream.
We firmly believe that this celebration will be proven futile and that the Maoist movement in India will return even stronger. Through the path of invincible people’s war, it will accomplish the new democratic revolution and pave the way towards socialism and communism.
Just as the Maoists rose again from the martyrdom of Comrade Charu Mazumdar, waging relentless struggle amidst all odds to become the greatest threat to the ruling classes today, so too will the Maoist movement advance—through its inevitable ups and downs—until the revolution is fulfilled. The revolutionary legacy of Naxalbari has proven this time and again.
The sacrifice, valor, and legacy of Comrade Basavaraj and the countless revolutionaries and people’s martyrs will eternally serve as a beacon of inspiration for the oppressed peoples and nations of India and across the world.
As the great Maoist leader Comrade Charu Mazumdar proclaimed, “Srikakulam is the future history of India” (Deshabrati, July 14, 1970). Red Salute to Maoist Comrade Basavaraj of Srikakulam!
Central Committee,
PBSP / Bangladesh
May 25, 2025
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Official CPI (Maoist) DKSZC Statement On The Murder Of Namballa Kesava Rao
Our dear comrade, a great leader of the Indian revolutionary movement, General Secretary of our party Communist Party of India (Maoist), Comrade Namballa Kesava Rao alias Basavaraj alias BR Dada, was martyred in the massacre on May 21, 2025 in the Gundekot forest in Maad area of Narayanpur district. The Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee pays tribute to that revolutionary hero with a humble bow. Our Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee humbly pays tribute to all the comrades who lost their lives in this massacre, including CC Staff State Committee level Comrade Nageshwar Rao alias Madhu alias Jung Naveen, CC staff Sangeetha, Bhumika, Vivek, CPYPC Secretary Comrade Chandan alias Mahesh, CPYPC member Guddu, Rame, Lalsu, Surya, Mase, Kamala, Nagesh, Rago, Rajesh, Ravi, Sunil, Sarita, Reshma, Raju, Jamuna, Geeta, Hungi, Sanki, Badru, Nilesh, Sanju. We pledge to fulfill the aspirations of these comrades. We express our deepest condolences and sorrow to the families and friends of these martyrs.
We call upon the citizens of the country, the ranks of the party, PLGA, the working people of the world and the revolutionary organizations to organize Shaheed Smriti Sabhas in memory of these martyrs and to move forward on the path of struggle with a firm resolve to fulfill their highest aspirations. We strongly condemn this brutal massacre, which was part of the conspiracy of the Brahminical Hindutva fascist government.
The police intelligence officers already knew that our party General Secretary Comrade BR Dada was in Maad. During these 6 months, some people from various units in Maad area became weak and surrendered before the police officers and turned traitors. Through them, our secret information has been reaching the intelligence agencies from time to time. In the months of January and March, two major attacks were carried out targeting Comrade BR Dada. But they were unsuccessful. After these operations, in the last one and a half months, 6 people from that unit surrendered to the enemy. Among them were the CYPC members who played a major role in Dada’s security. The Unified Command member who led the Maad movement also turned traitor at the same time. This made their job easier. All these traitors, including Ricky, also participated in the operation. It is because of them that we had to suffer such a huge loss. The operation aimed at driving them off the forests and land and handing over their assets to corporations was possible only because of these traitors.
From May 17, DRG personnel started deploying in Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts from Ora side. On the 18th, DRG soldiers from Dantewada and Bijapur districts, and Bastar fighters went in. They reached our unit at 9 am on the 19th. A day before the operation, on the 17th, a PPC member of that unit ran away with his wife. After they ran away, we moved the camp from there. On the morning of the 19th, after receiving information that the police force had reached a nearby village, the camp left there. On the way, the first encounter with the police personnel took place at 10 am. After that, five encounters took place throughout the day. No one was harmed in these encounters. They tried all day on the 20th to get out of the encircled area, but they failed. During the night, 20 thousand police personnel surrounded the area.
The final operation was carried out on the morning of the 21st. On one side, there were thousands of goons equipped with modern weapons. During the operation, food and water were brought to them by helicopters. On the other side, there were only 35 revolutionaries who were fighting against the socioeconomic problems of the country. Our people had not found anything to eat or drink for the last 60 hours. They were hungry. A battle began between these two sides. Our comrades put up a resistance by keeping BR Dada in a safe place between them. Kotlu Ram of the DRG died in the first round. After this, they did not dare to come forward for some time. Then they started firing again. The first person to be martyred while actively leading the resistance was Commander Chandan. However, everyone resisted bravely till the end. Many soldiers were injured. One group managed to break through the encirclement. But the rest could not escape through that route due to heavy shelling. After breaking the siege, the group separated from the main group. Everyone performed the responsibility of protecting the leadership very well and did not let Dada get even a single scratch till the end. After everyone was martyred, Comrade BR Dada was caught alive and killed. There were 35 of our comrades in that group. Out of them, 28 comrades became martyrs. 7 people escaped safely from this encounter. The list of martyrs is different. The body of Comrade Nilesh has been identified by PLGA.
The main point to note here is that a unilateral ceasefire was declared from our side throughout this zone. On the instructions of Comrade BR Dada, the actions of the government armed forces were stopped and an atmosphere conducive to peace talks was created. Not a single such action was taken in 40 days. During this time, through a conspiracy, the Central and State governments have jointly organized such a big attack. Not a single media person is raising any question about this. This is a matter of concern. It is a common question that what did the party do in terms of security of the top leadership… It is a question that arises in everyone’s mind. If we have to answer this question, yes… we have failed. Till January, the strength of this unit was more than 60. The number was reduced to enable easy movement in adverse conditions. In the meantime, some senior men of that company became weak and surrendered. When the incident happened, the strength reached 35. We had already anticipated that there would be big attacks in the months of April and May. But Comrade Basavaraj was not ready to go to a safe place. When we asked about his safety, his reply was… “You don’t have to worry about me, I can only carry out this responsibility for two or three years. You should take care of the safety of the young leadership. Inspired by the sacrifices, the revolutionary movement will re-emerge with many times more strength, the evil plans of this fascist government will not come to fruition, and the ultimate victory will be with the people.” Even after many of our colleagues tried to convince Dada, he did not listen. Despite adverse circumstances, he decided to stay with the cadre and provide close guidance.
The politicians, police officers and media who are spreading false propaganda about our movement and leadership should realize this. All those who are spreading false propaganda that the leadership has abandoned their responsibilities should be ashamed. Real revolutionaries will never be afraid. We are worried about the future of the country. The government and the reactionary forces are celebrating victory. They are describing it as a big victory. We believe that this is a big victory for them. If their plan to build a corporate Hindu nation is implemented, this is a clear victory in the direction. Crores of people in the country who disagree with the RSS and BJP plan to turn the country into a corporate Hindu nation in the name of New India, Developed India, are worried about this loss. This is a huge loss for the Indian revolutionary movement. May 21 will go down as a dark day in history. Revolutionary movements are likely to suffer such losses when faced with a strong enemy. This movement was built on the strong ideology and long-term cooperation of Comrade Basavaraj. A strong cadre working under his guidance has developed. There is a Central Committee with experienced comrades. Based on these, revolutionary movements emerge from this negative situation. The government is using its full power, not only this, but also receiving help from the imperialists. The army is being used in the country, violating national and international laws and regulations. Large artillery and tanks are being used. This may be somewhat successful in physically eliminating the armed revolutionaries, but it is not possible to eliminate revolutionary ideas.
We appeal to the people of the country to understand the real motive behind this massacre in the name of Operation Kagaar. We urge them to support the thoughts and politics of true patriots who are sacrificing their lives to protect our country, its wealth and the environment. Let us unite against those who are selling the country and its assets.
The Indian government is presenting evidence that Pakistani army officers and terrorists are in cahoots. If we believe this to be true… how did the ceasefire come into effect immediately on the orders of the Pakistani DGMO? The government is implementing a plan to kill hundreds of tribal people and revolutionaries without listening to the appeals made by the democratic and revolutionary people of our country for a ceasefire to resolve the issue through peace talks. Why is this happening? Which power has kept its mouth shut on the issue of ceasefire with Pakistan? What success is being achieved by organizing the Tiranga Yatra? Have we misled the people? This does not mean that we want war with Pakistan. Understand the nexus between the people in power in the country, big corporations and imperialists. Whenever they need it, they keep creating such an atmosphere.
Note: Our Central Committee will release a booklet on the sacrifices of our comrades who became martyrs in the revolutionary movement.
Vikalp
Official Spokesperson
Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee
Communist Party of India (Maoist)
May 25, 2025
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TKP-ML CC Statement: Comrade Namballa Kesava Rao Amar Rahe!
We have learned that Comrade Namballa Kesava Rao, General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist), popularly known among the people as “Comrade Basavaraj,” has been immortalized. It was announced that in the same clash, 26 of our comrades from the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), including Comrade Sajja Nageswara Rao, also fell. We convey our deepest condolences to the oppressed people of India, especially the Indian working class; to the comrades of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).
The immortalization of our comrades, including Comrade Basavaraj, is not only a loss for the Indian revolution. It is also a heavy loss for the international communist movement, the struggle for revolution and socialism. But we communists, from our historical experiences, know very well that: “The wheel of history cannot be turned back.”
Every comrade who falls in battle is at the same time a seed sown for the victory of the revolution and the future. The loss of our comrades, foremost among them Basavaraj, is such a loss. They laid down their lives for the advance of the Indian revolution.
This truth is best known by the fascist Indian state. For this reason, it continues its attacks on the Indian revolution and its vanguard, the organized Maoist movement. The counter-revolutionary assault campaign launched under the name “Operation Kagaar” aims to defeat the Maoist movement by March 2026.
The real goal of the fascist Indian state and the Brahmanical Hindutva fascist Modi government is, above all, to drive out the Adivasi peoples and the true owners of Indian land, to exploit workers, peasants, and laborers, and to hand over India’s underground and above ground resources to imperialists and comprador bureaucratic capitalists. The reactionary Indian state attacks the Indian revolution for this purpose. Because they know that the only obstacle to Brahmanical Hindutva’s fascist and reactionary policies is the People’s War waged by the CPI (Maoist), united with the masses, to create New Democratic India.
The reactionary Indian state’s fear is not without reason. The imperialist capitalist system is in deep crisis. Therefore, the imperialists are preparing for a new imperialist re-partition war. The reactionary Indian state, serving imperialism, sees as the primary threat to its rule the People’s War and the New Democratic Revolution struggle led by the CPI (Maoist). The fear of the fascist Indian state and the Brahmanical Hindutva fascist Modi government is New India! That is why they attack and slaughter. Yet with every killing they draw closer to the end of their own rule.
The fact that Comrade Basavaraj fought tirelessly for 50 years for a just and free society, that he began his revolutionary struggle in his youth and carried it forward with determination for many years, that he took an uncompromising stand and waged ideological struggle against every form of right and left deviation, revisionism, and reformism, is an immensely important legacy for the international communist movement.
That Comrade Basavaraj was one of the pioneering leaders in uniting Maoist forces in India and establishing a strong central unity of the CPI (Maoist) is a practice of vital importance and one from which lessons must be drawn by the international communist movement. Again, we draw inspiration from Comrade Basavaraj’s leadership in many military successes of the Indian revolutionary movement, especially in the construction of guerrilla bases in Dandakaranya and in the decisive role he played in establishing the people’s democratic institutions.
Comrade Basavaraj took up the general secretaryship at age 65 during a very difficult period for the revolutionary movement and led the CPI (Maoist). He never retreated from the struggle and was immortalized at age 72. Comrade Namballa Kesava Rao became the second general secretary killed by the reactionary Indian state after Charu Mazumdar.
As Comrade Basavaraj said in an interview, “Thousands of martyrs poured out their blood for this advance.” Now, together with Comrade Basavaraj and dozens of comrades including Comrade Sajja Nageswara Rao, they have poured out their blood for the advance of the revolution in India and the world. Glory and honor to them!
Comrade Namballa Kesava Rao Is Immortal!
“Lal Salam” to the Immortal Comrades!
Long Live the CPI (Maoist) and the PLGA!
Long Live the Indian Revolution!
Long Live MLM!
Long Live Proletarian Internationalism!
TKP-ML Central Committee
May 2025
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CPP CC Statement: Highest Honors To Comrade Basavaraj, Martyr Of The Indian People, Hero Of The International Proletariat
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines raises high its Red banners to pay tribute and give its highest honors to Comrade Basavaraj (Namballa Kesava Rao), secretary general of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), who paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for the revolutionary cause of the oppressed and exploited peoples of India, and the cause of the international proletariat.
Along with 26 other revolutionary fighters, Comrade Basavaraj, 70, was murdered last May 21 by the mercenary troops of the Modi fascist regime in the Abhujmad forests, along the Narayanpur-Bijapur-Dantewada inter-district border in Chhattisgarh state.
The fascists unleashed disproportionate amounts of military force to carry out the bloody crime. The massacre was a gross display of power meant to terrorize the people of India, in order to force them to submit and surrender to imperialism and state terrorism.
The Modi fascist regime carried out the brutal mass killing with the aim of projecting strength, but has, in fact, further exposed the rottenness of the ruling system and its deepening political crisis. This is characterized by the increasing isolation of the Modi regime, which has resorted to open terrorist rule and increasing monopolization of power, in its desperation to suppress the growing armed and non-armed resistance of the broad masses of India to social and economic oppression.
Over the past years, it has carried out Operation Kagaar, an intensive campaign of terrorism, marked by the deployment of tens of thousands of combat troops and police forces in the desperation to take over the lands of the Adivasi people by dotting it with scores upon scores of military camps and detachments, in order to pave the way for the imperialists and local big capitalists to plunder the wealth of the land. On Modi’s orders, the reactionary armed forces have mounted aerial bombing campaigns using drones and jet fighters supplied by the US and Israel, and carried out successive massacres of both guerrilla fighters and civilians.
A similar US-directed campaign of all-out suppression is being carried out in the Philippines, along the same strategy of using overwhelming military force, in a vain attempt to terrorize the people and put an end to their armed and non-armed resistance. Wherever the fascist armed forces carry out their rampage, drooling American multinational corporations follow with their earth-moving machines eager to take over the land. However, the more atrocities and brutalities committed by the reactionary forces against the peasant masses and the minority people, the greater the contempt that they provoke among the people, leaving them with other option than to take up arms to defend their rights and lives.
The fascists are celebrating the death of Comrade Basavaraj. In truth, they are trembling in their knees, for fear that his death will stir the indignation and inspire greater revolutionary resistance of the millions of working people, the semi-proletariat, the peasant masses, the Adivasis and other progressive sectors of India, all of whom Comrade Basavaraj dedicated his thoughts and energy.
The Modi fascist regime and its imperialist masters are utterly wrong to think that the death of Comrade Basavaraj will lead to the defeat of the CPI (Maoist) and the people’s war in India. In life, he led, taught and strengthened the mettle of thousands of communist cadres and revolutionary fighters (Naxalites). In death, his heroism and martyrdom will surely inspire even more to fight without fear, and with even greater determination to advance and win the people’s war.
The CPP extends its deep felt sympathies to the leadership and entire membership of the CPI (Maoist) and the to People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) for the loss of their dear comrade and leader. We pay tribute to the invaluable contributions made by Comrade Basavaraj, especially in founding the PLGA in 2000 and leading it in many of its victories and achievements in building the revolutionary base areas and carrying out tactical offensives against the fascist forces. He picked up the mantle of leadership from Comrade Ganapathy in 2018 and served as general secretary since.
The CPP joins the CPI (Maoist) and all revolutionary forces in India in forever keeping the memory of Comrade Basavaraj alive. His name now shines among the immortal heroes of the epic people’s war in India and the revolutionary struggles for national liberation and socialism around the world. In bearing the torch of the armed struggle in India, Comrade Basavaraj helped illuminate the path of the world proletarian revolution, especially in the past decades of setbacks and defeats of socialist forces around the world. For that, Comrade Basavaraj will always be remembered as a hero of the international proletariat.
We fully trust that the Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist) will promptly elect an equally capable leader to take over the responsibilities of Comrade Basavaraj. We are confident that by combining the wisdom of its senior cadres, with the energy and acumen of its young cadres, the CPI (Maoist) will surmount all difficulties, persevere on the path of revolutionary armed struggle, and accumulate even greater victories in the people’s war in India.
Long live the memory of Comrade Basavaraj, martyr of the Indian people, hero of the international proletariat!
Long live the people’s war in India!
Long live the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army!
Long live the Communist Party of India (Maoist)!
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C(M)PA Condolence And Tribute Message To Comrade Basavaraj Of The CPI (Maoist)
With hearts full of sorrow and heads held high in pride, we extend our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of Comrade Basavaraj, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), to all Maoists, progressive forces, workers, peasants, committed intellectuals, and freedom fighters.
Basavaraj, a true son of the people and a symbol of resistance against imperialism and class oppression, dedicated his life to an unyielding struggle against the fascist Indian state and its imperialist backers in pursuit of justice, equality, and liberation. He was not only an exceptional strategist and leader but also a source of inspiration for generations of fighters throughout South Asia and beyond.
With firm steps in the red forests and unwavering trenches of resistance, he inscribed the message of liberation for the people with his blood. His untimely martyrdom on May 21, 2025, along with twenty-six (26) other Maoist comrades—including vanguard fighters of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army of India—by the security forces of the fascist Indian government under a campaign known as the “Anti-Naxalite Operation of the Indian State” in the forested area of Abujhmarh in Chhattisgarh, marks a great loss but also lights the path forward more brightly for us.
The memory and name of Comrade Basavaraj shall forever fly high like a flag in the history of anti-imperialist and anti-reactionary struggles!
Together with all the Maoist comrades of India and Maoists around the world, we vow to continue his path with unwavering determination, organization, and class consciousness.
Down with imperialism and reaction!
Long live the people’s resistance!
Naxalbari will never die!
Long live the name and path of Basavaraj!
With full military honors and internationalist solidarity
Central Committee of the Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan
May 25, 2025