The Rise and Fall of Naxalism in India: A Historical Perspective (Expanded Edition)
Introduction
The Naxalite movement, one of India's longest-running internal security threats, has its roots in the exploitation of tribal and rural communities. Emerging from a small village in West Bengal, this armed rebellion was inspired by communist ideologies and aimed to overthrow the Indian state through violent revolution. This blog explores the origins, evolution, and current status of Naxalism in India, with a deeper look into tribal exploitation, government policies, and the movement’s peak years.
The Origins: Industrial Revolution and Communist Ideology
The 18th and 19th centuries saw the Industrial Revolution in Europe, leading to mass exploitation of the working class. Karl Marx, a German philosopher, criticized this inequality in his Communist Manifesto (1848), dividing society into:
Capitalists (Ruling Class) – Factory owners controlling wealth and resources.
Proletariat (Working Class) – Laborers exploited despite hard work.
Marx proposed a classless society where resources were equally distributed, advocating violent revolution if necessary. His ideas inspired communist movements worldwide, including Russia’s 1917 revolution led by Vladimir Lenin.
Communism in India: The Early Years
Formation of the Communist Party of India (CPI)
In 1920, M.N. Roy secretly formed the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Tashkent (USSR).
CPI worked underground, spreading Marxist literature and organizing workers and peasants.
December 1925: CPI was officially launched in India during the Kanpur Conference.
British Crackdown
The British banned CPI in 1934, fearing a USSR-backed revolution.
CPI members continued organizing protests, especially among exploited farmers under the zamindari system.
Post-Independence: Rise of Armed Struggle
After India’s independence (1947), CPI declared the new government as "pro-capitalist" and launched:
Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-51): Peasants seized land from landlords in Hyderabad.
Tebhaga Movement (1946): Farmers demanded 2/3rd share of crops (instead of 50%).
However, land reforms weakened CPI’s influence. By 1951, CPI contested elections but split into factions:
CPI (Democratic) – Participated in elections.
CPI (Marxist) – CPI(M) – More radical but still electoral.
Charu Majumdar’s Faction – Advocated armed revolution.
The Birth of Naxalism (1967)
Naxalbari Uprising
In March 1967, tribal farmer Jangal Santhal led an armed revolt in Naxalbari (West Bengal).
Peasants attacked landlords, seized land, and declared a "liberated zone."
Police retaliated, killing 11 villagers, sparking nationwide Maoist movements.
CPI (Maoist) Formation (1969)
Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal formed CPI (Marxist-Leninist) – CPI(ML), advocating armed struggle.
Slogans: "China’s path is our path!"
By 1970, Naxalites spread to West Bengal, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh.
Government Crackdown & Decline (1970s-80s)
1971-72: Operation Steeplechase – 20,000 Naxalites arrested.
1972: Charu Majumdar died in police custody (officially cardiac arrest).
1975-77: Emergency – Mass arrests under MISA.
Revival in the 1980s: The People’s War Group (PWG)
Kondapalli Seetharamaiah regrouped Naxalites under PWG in 1980.
Shifted focus to tribal-dominated dense forests (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha).
Exploited tribal grievances:
Forest Conservation Act (1980) restricted tribal access to forest resources.
Land alienation due to mining and private corporations.
Tactics:
Formed tribal militias (Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan).
Set up parallel governance (Janatana Sarkar).
Extorted money from contractors, businesses, and politicians.
Peak of Naxalism (1990s-2010)
Expansion of the Red Corridor
By 2004, CPI (Maoist) merged with MCC, controlling 180 districts across 10 states.
Key Strongholds:
Dandakaranya (Chhattisgarh)
Bastar
Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)
Jharkhand
Parallel Government & Economy
Judicial System: Kangaroo courts settled disputes.
Taxation: Extorted 5-10% from businesses, mining firms.
Recruitment: Forced tribal youth into armed squads.
Foreign Support:
Trained by LTTE (Sri Lanka) in guerrilla warfare.
Arms supplied via ULFA (Assam) and Nepal Maoists.
Major Attacks
2003: Attempted assassination of Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu.
2010: Dantewada ambush – 76 CRPF personnel killed.
Decline of Naxalism (2010-Present)
Government Countermeasures
Security Operations:
Operation Green Hunt (2009-10) – Large-scale military offensive.
SAMADHAN Doctrine (2017) – Focus on intelligence, technology.
Development Initiatives:
Roads, schools, hospitals in tribal areas.
Surrender policies for Naxalites.
Legal Crackdown:
Ban on frontal organizations (2013).
Demonetization (2016) disrupted Naxal funding.
Current Status (2024)
Reduced Influence: From 180 districts (2010) → 18 districts (2024).
Remaining Hotspots: Sukma (Chhattisgarh), Gadchiroli (Maharashtra).
Amit Shah’s Pledge: "Naxalism will be eradicated by 2026."
Why Did Naxalism Fail?
Internal Corruption: Leaders lived luxuriously while tribals suffered.
Loss of Tribal Support: Development reduced grievances.
Government Strategy: Better coordination, tech-driven operations.
Surrender Policies: Over 6,000 Naxalites surrendered (2014-24).
Conclusion
Naxalism remains India’s most persistent internal conflict. While military operations have weakened it, long-term solutions require:
✔ Economic development in tribal regions.
✔ Land reforms and justice for displaced communities.
✔ Counter-radicalization through education and employment.
The movement, born from exploitation, can only end when its root causes are addressed.