Naxalism
THE RESURGENCE OF NAXALISM: IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA’S SECURITY
S. ADHIKARI
India is a millennium old civilisation, with one-sixth of humanity within its borders and 30 percent of the population living below the poverty line. It has led to huge economic disparities which create a feeling of deprivation and desperation among the unprivileged classes. The pluralistic Indian society is characterised by ethnic, religious, linguistic and socio-economic disparities which pose a serious threat to the internal security of the country. The Information Age has made globalisation a reality, where nations and societies are constantly creating wealth. Economic prosperity is only possible with sustained economic growth which demands a peaceful internal security environment. Naxalism or Left Wing Extremists (LWE) is an expression of the aspirations of the people who are deprived of a life of dignity and self-respect. The pattern of violence perpetuated by Naxalism is an indicator of an emerging serious challenge to the internal security and economic stability of the nation. This article introduces the polemics of Naxalism/LWE/Maoism and the prevailing situation which has seriously endangered the democratic fabric of the Indian states. An attempt has been made to contextualise the nature and spread of Naxalism/LWE and the threat it poses to the Indian states. The terms “Naxalites”, “Maoists” and “Left Wing Extremists” have been used interchangeably. The article has
Prof. S. Adhikari is a former Head of Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Allahabad.
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AIR POWER Journal Vol. 7 No. 1, SPRING 2012 (January-March)
S. ADHIKARI
been divided under the following sections: Genesis of the Problem; Naxal Strategy; Counter-Naxal Strategy; Measures and Recommendations; and Conclusion.
THE GENESIS OF THE PROBLEM
To understand the genesis of the Naxal movement, one has to study it within the framework of the Communist movement in India. The term
S. ADHIKARI
India is a millennium old civilisation, with one-sixth of humanity within its borders and 30 percent of the population living below the poverty line. It has led to huge economic disparities which create a feeling of deprivation and desperation among the unprivileged classes. The pluralistic Indian society is characterised by ethnic, religious, linguistic and socio-economic disparities which pose a serious threat to the internal security of the country. The Information Age has made globalisation a reality, where nations and societies are constantly creating wealth. Economic prosperity is only possible with sustained economic growth which demands a peaceful internal security environment. Naxalism or Left Wing Extremists (LWE) is an expression of the aspirations of the people who are deprived of a life of dignity and self-respect. The pattern of violence perpetuated by Naxalism is an indicator of an emerging serious challenge to the internal security and economic stability of the nation. This article introduces the polemics of Naxalism/LWE/Maoism and the prevailing situation which has seriously endangered the democratic fabric of the Indian states. An attempt has been made to contextualise the nature and spread of Naxalism/LWE and the threat it poses to the Indian states. The terms “Naxalites”, “Maoists” and “Left Wing Extremists” have been used interchangeably. The article has
Prof. S. Adhikari is a former Head of Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Allahabad.
13
AIR POWER Journal Vol. 7 No. 1, SPRING 2012 (January-March)
S. ADHIKARI
been divided under the following sections: Genesis of the Problem; Naxal Strategy; Counter-Naxal Strategy; Measures and Recommendations; and Conclusion.
THE GENESIS OF THE PROBLEM
To understand the genesis of the Naxal movement, one has to study it within the framework of the Communist movement in India. The term
Links: 20. Ministry of Home Affairs, Annual Report, 2008-09.