Naxalism was started in 1967 in Naxalbari village of West Bengal. It began as a farmer protest against the unfair treatment of them by local landlords. The Naxalbari uprising was led by Kanu Sanyal and Jagan Santhal. The rebels aimed to redistribute land fairly to the working peasants. This movement has spread to Eastern India, particularly in less developed states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
In this article, we are going to discuss Naxalism and its impact in detail.
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What is Naxalism?
The term “Naxalism” or “Naxal movement” refers to this communist insurgency. Naxalites are the groups in India who follows the Maoist ideology. It is involved in armed rebellion since the 1960s. Naxals are believed to align with Maoist ideology, which seeks to overthrow established systems through armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances. These actions were based on the teachings of Mao Zedong that is also known as Left-wing extremism (LWE) or Maoism. In 2009, the Ministry of Home Affairs banned the Communist Party of India (Maoist) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
- The Naxal movement began in India in 1967 after tribes, laborers, and peasants raid a landlord’s multiple granaries in the Naxalbari village of North Bengal.
- Initially, the movement was suppressed by the landlords but continued under Charu Majumdar’s leadership with support from Jangal Santhal and Kanu Sanyal.
- Nearby villagers and even China backed the movement. It was dubbed as the “Spring Thunder” by contemporary Chinese media.
- The movement expanded across India including the North East and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Rebels used modern weapons, and firepower, and gained support from certain Indian groups.
- They developed bomb-making capabilities and set up weapon manufacturing camps.
Major Causes Of Naxalism
Here are some major causes of Naxalism as mentioned below.
Tribal Discontent
- The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 restricts the tribals from cutting bark that impacted their daily livelihood.
- Tribal populations in Naxalism-affected regions were displaced by development projects and mining.
- Displaced tribals who were living without daily livelihood showed the Naxalism support.
- Maoists provided arms, money, and support to these vulnerable individuals.
Socio-economic Gap In The System
- Government focuses on counting violent attacks instead of helping naxal areas improvement.
- Not enough smart tools were present to fight naxalites.
- Some villages still can not talk easily because they are not connected to phones or internet.
Administration Lacks
- No follow-up from administration after police intervention in naxal-affected regions.
- Confusion regarding the approach to tackling naxalism it became a social issue as well as internal security threat.
- State governments viewing naxalism as solely the responsibility of the central government. It lead to a lack of proactive initiatives.
Other Factors Of Naxalism
Here are some other factors of the Naxalism in India as mentioned below.
Mismanagement of Forests
- British laws monopolized the forest resources.
- It made the situations very worse in after 1990 with Indian government policies.
- It sparked the forest dwellers and also fueled the opposition against the government.
Disorganised Tribal Policies
- Post-independence, the government failed to implement proper tribal policies.
- Tribal communities left resourceless and joined Naxalite movements across states.
Intraregional and Interregional Discrepancies
- Lack of government schemes for the poor. It pushed them towards Naxalism.
- Naxalites was considered as a voice for lower economic class that attracted so much support.
Absence of Land Reforms and Industrialisation
- Government’s half-hearted land reforms failed to uplift rural economy.
- Poor employment opportunities in rural areas drove people to protest and join Naxal movement.
Forest Cover in India
- Naxalites take advantage of forest cover in rural areas to hurt the authorities.
- They formed groups and established camps in forests for their own protection.
Indian Youth
- Lack of job opportunities for new resources fuels attraction towards Naxalism.
- Rise in Naxalism among youth due to idealism.
Objectives of Left-Wing Extremism
Left-wing extremism (LWE) groups advocate for change through violent means. It means they are opposing the democratic institutions by using force to hinder democratic processes. Marxism, among other socialist ideologies, fuels Naxalism, one form of LWE. The goals of LWE are outlined below.
- All groups under this ideology do not like the government and they want a fight against them.
- They try to get people on their side by talking about their problems.
- The Communist Party of India (Maoist) is the most violent.
- The Maoists believe in Maoism it was a kind of communism.
- They do not like the government and want to take it down with guns.
- They hurt innocent people a lot.
Efforts to Tackle Naxalism in India
Here are some major efforts of the government to tackle Naxalism in India as mentioned below.
Security Operations
Security forces in India carry out specific missions to eliminate Naxal leaders, members, and their secret bases. The goal is to break their connections and stop them from committing violent acts. Special teams like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police are used for this. Getting reliable information is vital for planning and carrying out these missions.
Development Initiatives
The government is working to improve the lives of people in areas affected by Naxal violence. Government built roads, electricity connection, and improved healthcare and education. They are also helping people find jobs and land, and supporting tribal communities with farming and forest industries.
Rehabilitation and Surrender Policies
Rehabilitation programs are like second chances for Naxal cadres to come back into society. They offer things like education, job training, and money help. Plus, they give emotional support to make the transition easier. Surrendered Naxals get rewards, like housing and jobs, to show others it’s worth giving up the fight.
International Cooperation
India wants to team up globally to tackle Naxalism. India is working closely with neighboring nations to stop weapons and money from sneaking across borders. They are also learning from other countries’ experiences to come up with better plans.
Legal Measures and Capacity Building
To enhance national security, we are focusing on three key areas. First, we are making new laws tougher against terrorism, insurgency, and organized crime. Second, we are boosting the skills of law enforcement by providing specialized training in counter-insurgency tactics. Finally, we are also improving how security agencies work together by enhancing coordination and sharing crucial intelligence. These efforts aim to make our country safer and more resilient against threats.
State Government Initiatives Against Naxalism
Here are some State Government Initiatives Against Naxalism as mentioned below.
- Programs like “Special Central Assistance,” “Security Related Expenditure,” and “Special Infrastructure Scheme” aim to help areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) develop economically.
- Until July 2021, INR 2,698 crore was given for 10,000 projects under “Special Central Assistance,” with 85% of them completed.
- “Security Related Expenditure” has received ₹1,992 crore since 2014, funding projects like roads, mobile towers, schools, post offices, ATMs, and banks.
- INR 1006 crores were set aside for building 400 fortified police stations to improve security in Naxal-affected areas.
- Madhya Pradesh formed 23,113 women self-help groups, waived loans for tribals, granted land rights, and set up 18 industries employing 4000 people.
- The government aims to address legitimate grievances concerning forest land, mining, and hydropower benefits to counter Naxalites.
- China was accused of providing shelter, and the Pakistani ISI of offering financial support to Naxalites in 2011.
- In 2018, Rs 25,060 crores were allocated to modernize central and state police forces to fight insurgency effectively.
- Armed vigilante groups supported by the government, like Salwa Judum, emerged in the late 1990s but were disbanded in 2011 due to human rights violations.
- The Supreme Court declared Salwa Judum illegal in 2011, ordering its disbandment and investigations into alleged criminal activities.
Conclusion – What is Naxalism?
The Naxalism movement has affected many young people’s lives, disrupting their potential. Despite this, the Indian Government is working to address the issue by implementing reforms, agricultural policies, and creating job opportunities for youth. They are also undertaking development projects to help the poor in affected areas and curb the spread of this militant group. In this article we have discussed the Naxalism and its impact in detail.
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FAQs – What is Naxalism?
What is the meaning of Naxalism?
Naxalism is a general designation given to several Maoist-oriented and militant insurgent and separatist groups that have operated intermittently in India since the mid-1960s.
What is the cause of Naxalism in India?
The slow implementation of land reforms is the main reason for the growth of Naxalism. Landlords frequently moved the court to delay implementation of these reforms.
Where are Naxalites in India?
The Naxalite group mainly consists of the Guevarist armed cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). These areas span parts of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal.
Who is the father of Naxalism in India?
Charu Majumdar is the father of Naxalism in India.
Who founded Naxalism?
Charu Majumdar wanted a protracted people’s war in India similar to the Chinese revolution (1949). He wrote the Historic Eight Documents which became the foundation of the naxalite movement in 1967.
What is the history of Naxalism?
Naxalism is an ideological movement based on the teachings of Mao Zedong and has its roots in the small village of Naxalbari in West Bengal. It began in 1967 when the local peasantry and tribal peoples began to revolt against the exploitation of local landlords.
When was Naxalism banned in India?
On 22 June 2009, the central home ministry, keeping in mind the growing unlawful activities by the group, banned it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
How do Naxals get weapons?
The Naxalites also obtained weapons by bribing or coercing members of the security forces to sell or give their firearms and the ammunition along with their equipment. 3. Naxalites also have their own local arms factories.