The idea of Naxalism is an idea based on communism. Naxalism in India which began in 1967 became the single largest internal threat to the nation as stated by the former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. Communism is basically sharing everything among the rich and poor.
Naxalism is not same as Maoism. There are differences between these groups. First one should understand what exactly is Maoism, Naxalism and Terrorism. Even though both Naxalism and Terrorism has its origin rooted to the 1967 movement in Naxalbari; Naxalism is more towards the spirit of the basic movement. But on the other hand Maoism is basically an outcome of this movement. Maoists have a base agenda on which they work on. Usage of weapons and arms to achieve this agenda is also part of their movement. Naxalism on the other hand emphasizes more on mass movement. This is the reason why Naxalism is more spread within the country and Maoists attack Indian Army and police with arms more than Naxalites. The idea of Maoism originated from China from the political leader Mao Zedong. This idea was based communism as its core. There is always confusion whether Naxalites are terrorists. Naxalism and Terrorism are two different things. Terrorism involves use of violence for political agenda or aims. The current India is not facing terrorists but Naxalites who believes in Maoism and practices terrorism.
The current situation in India
The Naxal and Maoists affected areas is called the Red Corridor of India. The area comprises of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. According to the Naxalites they are trying to resurrect the Dandakaranya which is a forest of punishment given in the book of Ramayana. Most important hotbed of Maoists and Naxalites is the district of Bastar. There are signs of Naxalism spreading towards the north part of Kerala towards Karnataka. Spreading of the movement to Nepal is also a major implication the current situation is facing. CPI(Maoists) has started joining along with other extremists group in India and thus creating more difficult situation around the affected districts.
The Beginning of Naxalism
It started during the reign of British when they introduced the Permanent Settlement Revenue System in India. This System introduced the concept of Zamindar or Landlords. They were basically people who owned large tracts of land. They were not exactly farmers. They did not involve in farming or cultivating corps. These Zamindars will rent their land to farmers or sharecroppers. These farmers or sharecroppers did not have their own land and was generally low caste or tribal group. The sharecroppers may even employ laborers to cultivate crops in these lands. But in the end they almost get very negligible share of any outcomes. They neither own land or nor have the liberty to exercise these on their own hand. Thus they may be even evicted from these lands when Zamindar wished. This continued even after independence of India. A Land Reform Act was put forth in 1955 which stated that these sharecroppers have the fullest right to cultivate on the lands lend to them. But in case the Zamindar can cease if they wanted to cultivate themselves. This was a large loophole in the reform act. The Zamindar used to play with the sharecroppers and farmers on the basis of these circumstances and keep them checked. Fearing their loss of livelihood, it was hard for the farmers to go against it and had to comply. Also Zamindars or Landlords lend money at very high interest rates to these farmers. The main reason was to put these farmers in debt so that they do get form profit. Also keeping a check to their growth was another intention. Most of these Zamindars used goondas to inflict fear in these people. Also the wealth had got them the support of the local officials and local administrative body in and around the districts.
Naxalbari was a similar place with phenomenon of Zamindar and farmers discussed above. A violent protest started in this area on pretext of having a proper land reform. The requisite was to evenly distribute lands among the primarily engaged people (i.e. the farmers and the sharecroppers). Zamindar on the other hand took it as an insult because land was source of wealth for them and they did not expect to give it farmers. With goondas and local police officials they retracted against it. On May 25th the police fired the group of protestors and thus killing 9 adults and 2 children. There was counter attack on the next day resulting in a death of police personnel because of a tribal arrow. This small violent incident triggered more and got amplified thousands fold and the now current situation of biggest national threat has been given its tag line.
The Formation of Maoism
After this incident the original movement for the need of Land reform took different direction. One was the introduction of Maoism. Mao Zedong, the Leader of Republic of China was a core powerhouse for this movement. It was claimed that he had asked the farmers to revolt against the upper class people and the government. Supply of weapons and arms were also a part they had played according the claims. Communist Party of India (Marxist) had a split. One of the group lead by Mazumdar and Sanyal had their principles in acquiring their agenda by violent means. Their Ideals were now not only based on the single land reform or local police. It grew bigger to question the foundation of Indian nation. From “Capitalist” to “Communist” or even a “Socialist” is what they had as an agenda.
Recruitment of Naxalism
After the incident the lot of students started getting attracted to the movement. This eventually led to the recruitment of these students. It was claimed that Jadavpur University was used in the manufacture of arms and students were helping the cause. Mazumdar’s writing made students leave their jobs or studies and made them fight for the cause. There were even signs of Naxalism involved in the Presidency College in Kolkata.
The Fight between the Naxals and Government
During the period of Siddaratha Shankar Ray the Chief Minister of West Bengal, there was large violent protests. The officials started arresting any individual who was suspected being a naxal. What came after arrest was the terrifying part. They were subjected to immense torture irrespective of male or female or students. Most of them either could not make it through the torture alive or had serious physical or mental damage after the torture. There were even cases of rape and murder of the women and innocent girls kept in prison under suspicion. The torture was more intense and severe during the emergency period. There were lots of arrests on suspicion. During the emergency period Naxalites suffered huge losses. Mazumdar was captured and he died of heart attack during interrogation. Government states that when facing an enemy normal democracy or civilian rules will not be followed and thus torture were practiced. But the question remained was whether Naxalites were claiming they were not Indians and they want to be separate? At that point of time even if they did not intend this, the moves taken by government would have forced them towards that path. The movement had gained support from many people. Few of them were indeed upper class men who left all their riches and went on to lead the Naxalites. Even though most of the Naxalites were tribals and lower caste, it had lot of upper classmen as their leaders. Mazumdar’s death had literally fractionalized the group. Lot of small groups started to emerge which either followed Mazumdar’s followings or other ideologies. Groups like pro Marx, Pro Lenin, Pro Mao, Anti Mao, Anti Marx etc were the result of fractionalization. Naxalites spread on to different parts of India and clashing with the officials on the way.
Naxal and Maoists grouped themselves during September 2004 to form People War’s group and Communist Party of India (Maoists). This caused a sudden increase in violence in the country. Bihar and Andhra Pradesh saw the maximum movement in the country. YSR government in 2004 took serious actions against the Naxalites. This eventually led to forced expulsion or elimination of major Naxal movement in Andhra Pradesh. This operation was termed as “Operation Greenhunt”.
Problems Caused By Naxalites
Now looking at this from perspective of government, we could relate to what Naxalites has caused to the society. Basically Naxalism use a type of guerilla form of warfare. This is a type of art form when the group is not large enough to withstand the opposition. They hit the opponent and hide. Naxalites living in the forest known their terrain well and it gives them an advantage. They are also involved in abducting innocent citizens or higher officials if they find them deem to be useful for their cause. On the process of saving their own livelihood they have started destroying others. CPRF – Central Police Reserve Force has been given due power to protect and safeguard the areas with naxal movement in few of the states. But naxals believe them to be a part of opposition and try to fight them. Lots of deaths of innocent police force have been noted. This blow to police force will not be taken lightly by the government and thus government will retaliate with more fire power, resulting in the loss of precious lives.
Why do Naxalism continue to exist?
Structural Violence
Conflicts between the people of Zamindar and farmers are one of the best known reasons. When people do not have a livelihood that they can be independently depend on, they tend to create a hostile environment. This structure where the famers or lower caste or the tribal being exploited by the upper caste is something that will enhance the growth of these movements. Ages of hatred kept within comes out.
Poverty
When a person is not able to grow in the society because of the financial constraints or exploitation, it creates a big opportunity for the Naxalism. Food insecurity is a major reason for the farmers to enter to such dangerous conditions. Lot of farmers in India are not able to even nourish their family with proper food and when they do not get the help really required from government , they tend to look for other sources. Naxalites understand these feeling very well. And hence it is much easier to expand their movement and spread their ideals to these people.
Illiteracy
Because of lack of proper education, many do not know to take rational decision. They are easily influenced by others. They do not even understand the impacts of the action they are made to do.
