Naxalism, also known as the
Naxalite movement, is an insurgent and revolutionary political movement that
has been active in parts of India since the late 1960s. It takes its name from
the village of Naxalbari in West Bengal, where the movement first began as a
peasant revolt. Over the decades, Naxalism has evolved into a broader
Maoist-inspired insurgency, which aims to overthrow the government through
armed struggle and establish a socialist-communist state. The movement draws
its ideological inspiration from the teachings of Mao Zedong, the Chinese
communist leader, and focuses on the upliftment of the rural poor, particularly
landless farmers, tribal communities, and other marginalized sections of
society.
What is Naxalism
Origins of Naxalism
The roots of Naxalism lie in the
broader socio-economic inequalities that have existed in India, particularly in
rural areas, where land distribution is skewed, and farmers, laborers, and
tribal populations have faced exploitation and neglect. The initial spark for
the Naxalite movement was lit in May 1967, in the Naxalbari region of West
Bengal. A violent conflict erupted when a group of landless peasants, led by
Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, took up arms against local
landlords to seize their land and redistribute it among the poor. This
uprising, which became known as the "Naxalbari Uprising," gained
nationwide attention, and similar movements soon spread to other parts of
India, particularly to the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and
Jharkhand.
The Naxalite movement was
initially inspired by the success of the Chinese communist revolution led by
Mao Zedong and the theory of protracted people’s war, which emphasized a
rural-based guerrilla strategy to overthrow the state. The movement’s leadership
believed that the Indian state, with its democratic and capitalist system, was
inherently exploitative and oppressive, particularly toward the rural poor and
tribal communities. They sought to replace it with a communist regime that
would ensure land reform, equal distribution of resources, and social justice.
Ideological Foundations
The Naxalite movement is grounded
in the ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. Maoism, as an extension of
Marxist-Leninist thought, emphasizes the role of peasants, rather than the
industrial working class, as the primary revolutionary force in agrarian societies
like India. This stands in contrast to the classical Marxist belief that urban
workers would be the vanguard of any revolutionary movement. According to
Maoist theory, revolution in a country like India should begin in the
countryside, where the majority of people live, and gradually encircle and
seize control of the cities.
Key principles of Maoist ideology
that influence the Naxalite movement include:
Class Struggle: The movement
believes that Indian society is divided into exploiters (landlords,
industrialists, and capitalists) and the exploited (peasants, workers, and
tribals). A violent class struggle is necessary to overthrow the ruling elite
and bring about a socialist state.
People’s War: Naxalites believe
in using armed struggle as the primary method of revolution. They follow a
strategy of guerrilla warfare, where small, mobile, and flexible units of
fighters launch attacks against government forces and then retreat into rural
or forested areas.
Agrarian Revolution: Central to
Naxalite ideology is the demand for land redistribution. They aim to seize land
from wealthy landlords and redistribute it among landless peasants. The
movement considers land reform as the first step toward empowering rural
populations and ending their exploitation.
Anti-State Stance: Naxalites view
the Indian state as a tool of the capitalist class and an oppressor of the
poor. They do not recognize the legitimacy of the government and seek to
overthrow it through revolutionary violence.
Self-Reliance and Communes: The
movement emphasizes self-sufficiency for the rural poor. They envision a future
where villages operate as self-sufficient communes, with collective ownership
of resources and production.
Phases of the Naxalite Movement
Early Growth (1967–1970s)
Following the Naxalbari uprising
in 1967, the movement spread to other regions, especially in states like West
Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The movement received support from
student activists, intellectuals, and the rural poor, who were attracted to its
radical rhetoric and promises of social justice. However, the movement faced
severe repression from the government, which saw it as a threat to the nation’s
stability.
In 1969, the Communist Party of
India (Marxist-Leninist), or CPI(ML), was formed by Charu Majumdar and his
comrades as the official party representing the Naxalite cause. However,
internal divisions and disagreements over strategy soon led to the fragmentation
of the movement. Some factions favored immediate armed struggle, while others
preferred a more gradual approach of mass mobilization and political education.
Decline and Fragmentation
(1970s–1980s)
The movement faced significant
setbacks in the 1970s as the government launched counter-insurgency operations
against Naxalite groups. Many leaders, including Charu Majumdar, were arrested
or killed, and the movement lost much of its momentum. Internal splits further
weakened the movement, as different factions disagreed on ideological and
tactical issues. Some groups continued to engage in armed struggle, while
others shifted their focus to political activism within the framework of
parliamentary democracy.
By the 1980s, the movement had
splintered into several small factions, each pursuing its own version of
revolutionary struggle. Despite these divisions, the movement remained active
in certain pockets, particularly in regions with high levels of poverty,
landlessness, and tribal discontent.
Resurgence and Consolidation
(1990s–Present)
In the 1990s, Naxalism
experienced a resurgence, particularly in the so-called "Red
Corridor," a region stretching across eastern and central India, where
Naxalite groups have a significant presence. This resurgence was driven by
several factors, including:
Widening Socio-Economic
Disparities: The economic reforms of the 1990s, while leading to high growth
rates in urban areas, did little to alleviate the poverty and deprivation in
rural and tribal areas. The benefits of economic liberalization were unevenly
distributed, leaving large sections of the population feeling excluded and
marginalized.
Government Neglect: Many areas affected by Naxalism are remote, underdeveloped, and poorly governed. Basic infrastructure like roads, schools, and healthcare is often lacking, and local governments are seen as corrupt and ineffective. This has created fertile ground for Naxalite groups to recruit disillusioned and discontented people.
Exploitation of Tribal Communities: Tribal communities, which make up a significant portion of the Naxalite support base, have faced decades of exploitation, displacement, and marginalization. The expansion of mining, industrial projects, and deforestation in tribal areas has led to large-scale displacement of indigenous populations, fueling resentment and anger against the state.
Consolidation of Naxalite Groups:
In 2004, two major Naxalite factions—the People’s War Group (PWG) and the
Maoist Communist Centre (MCC)—merged to form the Communist Party of India
(Maoist), or CPI(Maoist). This merger brought greater coordination and unity to
the movement, which had previously been fragmented. The CPI(Maoist) emerged as
the dominant Naxalite group, capable of launching more coordinated and
sustained insurgent operations.
Tactics and Operations
The Naxalites primarily operate
in rural and forested areas, where they have built strongholds among
marginalized communities, particularly tribals and landless farmers. They use
guerrilla warfare tactics, including ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, and sabotage
of infrastructure such as railways, roads, and communication networks. Their
armed units, known as "People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army" (PLGA),
engage in frequent clashes with government security forces, often leading to
casualties on both sides.
The Naxalites have also engaged
in targeted assassinations of political leaders, police officers, and
informants. They frequently target government officials and institutions that
are seen as symbols of state oppression. In addition to armed struggle, Naxalites
organize mass movements, protests, and strikes to mobilize the rural poor and
tribal populations. They have established parallel systems of governance in
certain areas, where they impose taxes, administer justice, and provide basic
services like education and healthcare.
Government Response
The Indian government has labeled
the Naxalite movement as the country’s "biggest internal security
threat." Successive governments have responded with a combination of
military, paramilitary, and police operations aimed at eliminating Naxalite
strongholds. These operations have often involved the use of special forces,
aerial surveillance, and joint operations by state and central security forces.
In addition to military measures,
the government has also attempted to address the root causes of Naxalism by
promoting economic development, land reforms, and tribal rights in affected
areas. Various schemes have been introduced to improve infrastructure, provide
employment, and enhance social welfare in Naxalite-affected regions. However,
the effectiveness of these initiatives has been limited by corruption,
inefficiency, and the failure to win the trust of local populations.
Current Status and Challenges
As of the 2020s, the Naxalite
movement remains active, though it has faced significant setbacks due to
sustained counter-insurgency efforts by the government. While the movement’s
strength has been reduced in certain areas, it continues to pose a threat in
parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The movement's
persistence reflects the enduring socio-economic inequalities and governance
failures that continue to plague rural India.
The Naxalite insurgency poses
several challenges for the Indian state:
Human Rights Violations: Both
Naxalite militants and government forces have been accused of committing human
rights abuses. Naxalites have engaged in summary executions, forced
recruitment, and the use of child soldiers. On the other hand, security forces
have been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced
evictions of tribal populations.
Development vs. Security: The
government faces a dilemma in balancing development initiatives with security
operations. While economic development is essential to address the root causes
of Naxalism, development projects such as mining and industrialization have
often led to displacement and alienation of local communities, exacerbating the
problem.
Alienation of Tribal Populations:
Tribal communities continue to feel excluded from the benefits of economic
growth and political participation. Unless their grievances are addressed
through meaningful land reforms, social justice, and respect for their cultural
rights, the Naxalite movement is likely to retain its appeal among these
populations.
Conclusion
Naxalism is both a symptom and a
consequence of the deep-rooted socio-economic inequalities and governance
failures in India’s rural and tribal regions. While the movement has lost some
of its earlier momentum due to internal divisions and government crackdowns, it
continues to attract support from marginalized sections of society who feel
excluded from the benefits of India’s economic growth.
The challenge of Naxalism is not
merely a security issue but also a socio-economic and political one. Addressing
it requires a multi-faceted approach that includes military operations to
contain violence, along with economic development, land reforms, and greater
political representation for tribal and rural communities. Only by addressing
the underlying grievances of the rural poor and ensuring inclusive development
can India hope to permanently resolve the Naxalite insurgency.
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