Naxalbari to Maoism: Evolution of Left-Wing Extremism

Context

The term ‘Dimagi Naxal’ has revived debates on the evolution of the Naxalite movement, the trajectory of Maoism, and left politics in India.

Key Highlights

• The term ‘Dimagi Naxal’ was recently coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a person who has a Naxal mindset.
• Generated political debate and controversy and reignited discussion of the historical roots and current significance of Naxalism.
• The government at the moment considers Left-Wing Extremism to be an internal security problem, while academics also correlate its emergence in history to land inequality, tribal displacement, exploitation, a nd social injustice.

What is Naxalism?

• Naxal is a term inspired by the village of Naxalbari in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
• The Naxalbari peasant movement emerged out of a peasant revolt in May 1967, inspired by the Chinese Communist Revolution and the Naxalbari intellectuals’ ideology of Mao Zedong.
• The movement was linked to the demand for “land to the tillers”, which was related to the issues of landlessness, exploitation, and rural inequality.
• Eventually, over the course of time, the term Naxalism took on the connotation of armed rebellion against the Indian State.

Historical Evolution of the Naxalite Movement

• Telangana Peasant Revolt (1946–51)

  • The armed communist movements in Indiahave theirs origin in the Telangana Peasant Revolt.
  • The Nizam’s regime and oppressive landlords were opposed by the communists backed peasants.
  • Some members of the communist movement took up the Maoist ideology and revolutionary armed struggle.
  • The movement highlighted issues of:
    • Land inequality
    • Feudal exploitation
    • Tribal grievances
    • Rural poverty

• Naxalbari Uprising, 1967

  • The Naxalbari struggle was the event that marked the symbolic origin of the modern Naxalite movement.
  • It encouraged armed revolution and radical land reforms.
  • Peasant-led revolution, expounded by Maoist philosophies, was a significant factor in the movement.

• Formation of CPI(ML), 1969

  • Under the leadership of Charu Mazumdar, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), or CPI(ML), was formed on April 22, 1969.
  • CPI(ML) emerged as one of the leading political organizations that emerged against the backdrop of the Naxalite movement.
  • In turn, the following movements occurred in:
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Bihar
    • Uttar Pradesh
    • Odisha
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • Chhattisgarh

• Rise of CPI (Maoist), 2004

  • The Naxalite movement later on divided into various groups.
  • In 2004, the People’s War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) united themselves into the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
  • The goal of the CPI (Maoist) was to change the State by means of armed struggle.
  • It became the main armed group that was linked to modern Left-Wing Extremism in India.

Difference Between Naxal, Maoist and Marxist

• Naxal

  • Historically used to describe the movement that began in Naxalbari (1967).
  • Connoting radical land reforms and armed revolutionary politics.
  • It is also used in modern parlance more generally to refer to Left-Wing Extremists.

• Maoist

  • Relating to groups that are motivated by the ideology of Mao Zedong.
  • Believes that armed struggle is the means of revolutionary change, especially among peasants and the rural population.
  • In India, the main organisation linked with the Maoist insurgency is CPI (Maoist).

• Marxist

  • Relates generally to any political faction that is based on the philosophies of Karl Marx.
  • Parties that include Marxism, like CPI and CPI(M), are a part of the constitutional and electoral democracy of India.
  • Hence, Marxism does not necessarily mean armed insurgency or Naxalism.

Why Did Naxalism Spread?

• Land Inequality

  • The lack of adequate land reform led to discontent in the ranks of the working poor in agriculture.
  • In some states like Bihar, the land ceiling laws were unsuccessful in distributing land to the agricultural labourers.

• Caste Oppression

  • Caste oppression was often associated with lack of land or economic exploitation.
  • Social and economic injustice was felt by the agricultural workers of lower castes.

• Tribal Marginalisation

  • In other states like Chhattisgarh and Odisha, tribal people were displaced and excluded from development.
  • Mining and infrastructure projects and resource extraction increased local grievances.

• Development Deficit

  • In remote areas, there were often problems with:
    • Poor infrastructure
    • Limited healthcare
    • Weak education systems
    • Lack of employment opportunities
    • Poor State presence

State’s response to Naxalism

• Security operations and development interventions have been the main methods adopted by the Indian State to combat Naxalism.
• Security Approach
  • Use of the Central Armed Police Forces.
  • Building intelligence and police capacities.
  • Anti-Naxal activities in affected districts.
  • Better coordination of Central and State governments.
• Development Approach
  • The development of roads and communication facilities.
  • Scaling up health and education systems.
  • Financial inclusion and livelihood programmes.
  • Protection of tribal rights and forest resources.

Challenges in Addressing Left-Wing Extremism

• Difficult geographical terrain.
• Poor administrative capacity in remote areas.
• Displacement and alienation of tribal lands.
• Insufficient livelihood opportunities.
• Continued socio-economic inequality.
• Striking a balance between security operations and human rights concerns.

From Armed Movement to Electoral Politics

• Some groups of the Naxalites later went into the fold of democratic politics.
• For instance, CPI(ML) Liberation gave up on armed struggle and embraced parliamentary democracy.
• This demonstrates that political movements can transition from armed conflict towards constitutional participation.

Contemporary Significance

• The government has put in a lot of effort to curb Left-Wing Extremism and has achieved great success in doing so.
• But the history of the movement is still relevant.
• Problems of inequality, land rights, tribal welfare, and exclusion from development remain a matter of policy concern.
• Thus, the LWE must be tackled in two ways:
  • Effective security measures
  • Development that is inclusive and based on rights

Way Forward

• Improve the governance system in tribal and remote areas.
• Promote good implementation of land and forest rights.
• Encourage inclusive development and livelihoods.
• Enhance education, health and communication.
• Promote and empower democratic participation and peaceful political engagement.
• Integrate security operations and development and social justice programmes.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains PYQ

Q. What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What Strategy should the Government of India, civil administration, and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (2020)

Download as PDF