Green Over Red by Ram Chandra Ojha is a thought-provoking exploration of society’s contradictions, examining the complex relationship between good and evil, reform and destruction, and idealism and disillusionment. Set against the backdrop of the crime-ridden jungles of West Champaran, Bihar, the novel follows the lives of two childhood friends, Dev and Abhigyan, whose ideological differences lead them down very different paths, yet ultimately reveal the same underlying flaws in society.
Ojha’s narrative begins in the lawless terrain of West Champaran, a place marked by both natural beauty and deep social unrest. The story quickly introduces the two protagonists: Dev, a police officer, and Abhigyan, a Marxist social activist. Although both are driven by a desire to change the world around them, their approaches and ideologies set them on opposing trajectories. Dev becomes part of the corrupt police system, struggling with the brutality of his work, while Abhigyan, after an accident that leaves him maimed, tries to channel his revolutionary ideals into social activism. However, as the novel unfolds, Ojha shows how both men are ultimately undone by the very systems they sought to reform, their noble intentions crushed under the weight of reality.
The narrative is layered with social and political critique, exploring how efforts to eradicate evil, whether through government intervention or social revolution, often fail and sometimes even backfire, leading to greater suffering and despair. Ojha doesn’t offer easy answers; instead, he shows how both institutional and grassroots solutions can be riddled with contradictions that undermine their success. The novel suggests that the fight against evil is not a linear journey, but a cyclical process that can lead to unintended consequences.
At its core, Green Over Red is about the human condition, the inner struggles that define each individual’s moral compass. Dev and Abhigyan represent two contrasting approaches to life—one rooted in state power and authority, the other in radical, transformative ideals—but both men are ultimately victims of their own choices and the systems they inhabit. The novel’s symbolism of “green over red” speaks to this tension between life and destruction, renewal and decay, and how, in the end, the good often succumbs to the bad, even as we continue to seek change.
Ojha’s writing is sharp, yet poignant, weaving together philosophical reflections with the raw realities of social conflict. The dialogues between Dev and Abhigyan towards the end of the novel are particularly striking, as the two men, once close friends, now see their dreams and beliefs shattered by time and experience. The conclusion is both melancholic and insightful: Abhigyan, after a lifetime of struggle, opens a school, a small beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak world, while Dev, broken by the violence of his work, remains mentally ill, symbolizing the psychological toll that a lifetime of moral compromise can have.
Ultimately, Green Over Red published by Astitva Prakashan is a powerful critique of social reform movements and the personal cost of ideological commitment. Ojha doesn’t just explore the failure of political movements or societal change; he delves deeper into the psyche of individuals who, despite their best efforts, find themselves consumed by the very forces they sought to control. It is a sobering meditation on how ideals can be corrupted and how the battle between good and evil often plays out in unseen, painful ways.
This is a book that doesn’t offer easy answers or comforting narratives. It challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of change and the inherent flaws in any system—be it political, social, or personal. For those willing to engage with its complex themes, Green Over Red provides a rich, intellectual experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.
