Article Title: Basavaraju’s killing could defang the Maoists and serve as a chance for peace
29-05-2025
Defence & Internal Security Current Affairs Analysis
Naxalism
• Naxalism, a form of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) inspired by Maoist ideology, seeks to overthrow the state through armed rebellion (violence and guerrilla warfare).
• The term Naxalism derives its name from the village Naxalbari in West Bengal, where an uprising of peasants occurred in 1967 against exploitative landlords.
• It has since evolved into a complex insurgency affecting several states across India.
Causes for Naxalism
• Landlessness and Exploitation: Unequal land distribution and exploitative practices by landlords, moneylenders, and middlemen fuel resentment in rural and tribal areas and led to growth of Naxalism.
• Poverty and Underdevelopment: Naxalite-affected regions lack basic amenities like healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, driving people towards extremism.
• Tribal Alienation: Displacement due to industrial and mining projects without proper rehabilitation creates anger and distrust towards the state, leading many to join Naxalite movements.
• State Neglect and Violence: A weak government presence, lack of basic services, and instances of police excesses, including custodial deaths, have further intensified grievances, strengthening the Naxalite insurgency.
• The Communist Party of India (Maoist) is the largest and most violent Maoist group in India. It was formed through the merger of two major Maoist factions: CPI (Marxist Leninist) People’s War and the Maoist Communist Centre of India.
• The CPI (Maoist) and its organizations were banned under the UAPA, 1967.
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