Basavaraju’s killing could defang the Maoists and serve as a chance for peace

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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