CHAPTER 65

Summary

• The chapter is set in 1971 in Madras, India. A character named Mariamma is studying in a largely deserted hostel. She is still recovering from a violent episode with a man named Brijee, who has been punished but not to Mariamma's satisfaction.
• Mariamma is visited by Lenin, a former acquaintance. Lenin notices her changed demeanor and they reconnect. Mariamma urges Lenin to leave the city with her and he agrees. They take a bus ride to the coast, where they swim and share personal stories.
• Mariamma reveals that she was sexually assaulted by Brijee, who she injured in self-defense. Lenin supports her, but does not share his own issues. They spend a night in a lodge and continue discussing their lives.
• Lenin shares his experiences working in a rural area among the tribals. He befriended a family whose land was forcibly taken by a rich businessman. Lenin also mentions his mentor Arikkad, a local advocate for tribal rights.
• The narrative reveals that Lenin gradually lost faith in his religious calling due to growing awareness of social injustices. His transition from seminary student to radical activist was triggered by brutal violence inflicted upon the tribals and allies by the police.
• In the end, Lenin reveals that he has been involved in raids and became part of a radical movement known as the Naxalites. The chapter concludes leaving Mariamma shocked and saddened.

• The group, including the narrator, made a journey without carrying weapons in order to pass through towns unnoticed.
• The narrator reached a rendezvous spot high in the mountains, meeting Arikkad there who was weary, hungry, and aware of possible police pursuit.
• Arikkad mentioned a friend named Sivaraman whose house was on the edge of a corporate plantation where they could find food and rest.
• The narrator was suspicious about Sivaraman's house and insisted on hiding outside, while Arikkad entered the house.
• Shortly after, the narrator woke up to find a constable and two others, summoned by Sivaraman, ready to arrest Arikkad.
• The police treated Arikkad brutally, tying his hands and clubbing him to the ground, before leading him away. The narrator, hidden in a tree, watched the whole scene.
• The narrator later threatened Sivaraman and followed the constables and Arikkad from a distance.
• At dawn, two jeeps arrived with a DSP officer who treated Arikkad cruelly, shackling his ankles and put a sack over his head.
• There was a heated argument near the jeep, after which the DSP walked toward Arikkad, removed his hood and spoke harsh words to him. Arikkad tried to stand tall and responded with laughter.
• Arikkad then turned towards where the narrator was hidden, indicating he knew the narrator was there and grinning at the DSP, who set his position to shoot Arikkad.
• Arikkad shouted a message of resistance before the DSP shot him.
• The narrator witnessed Arikkad's murder, found the banana Arikkad had left for him, and erected a two-stone memorial at the spot stained with Arikkad's blood.
• Overcome with grief, the narrator reflected on the brutal incident, resolved to persevere in their struggle.