New book details Rajiv Kumar's student Naxal interest

Former NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar was attracted to Naxal ideology as a student in the 1970s.

He hung posters of Che Guevara and Ho Chi Minh in his hostel room.

He stayed in a remote village in Bihar to prepare villagers for the 'annihilation of predatory jotedar and zamindar', according to a new book titled 'Rebel Bastar: History, Maoism and the Search for Answers in India's Heartland'.

Kumar now considers present-day Naxalism as the 'most pernicious and dishonest impact' on Indian youths.

The book states that Kumar was swayed by a senior history student and a psychology professor to deify Mao Zedong during his second year at St. Stephen's College.