India, a nation rooted in the philosophies of peace and non-violence, continues to grapple with the internal threat of Naxalism — an ideology that seeks justice through violence. While India’s moral and civilisational ethos has always promoted compassion and dialogue, the persistence of such extremism challenges the nation’s internal stability and unity.

Naxalism: A Threat to Democracy and Trust

The Naxalite movement, though framed as a struggle for the marginalized, undermines democracy by exploiting freedoms to justify violence. Each act of destruction — from attacks on security forces to sabotaging infrastructure — erodes public trust and prevents developmental initiatives from reaching vulnerable regions.

Poverty Myth and Ideological Roots

Contrary to popular belief, poverty and underdevelopment alone do not fuel Naxalism. Evidence shows that regions with similar deprivation levels remain unaffected, proving that the movement is more deeply rooted in ideology, poor governance, and weak state presence rather than just economic hardship. Research indicates that factors like state accessibility and governance quality correlate more strongly with insurgent activity.

Government Strategy for a Naxal-Mukt Bharat

The government has shifted from viewing Naxalism merely as a law-and-order issue to addressing its socio-economic and ideological dimensions. Collaborative efforts between the Centre and states now focus on development-led security — including better road connectivity, telecom expansion, education, and skill development through ITIs and Eklavya Schools. These measures aim to integrate affected regions into mainstream progress.

Positive Outcomes and Remaining Challenges

The results are notable: Naxal-affected districts declined from 126 (2014) to 18 (2024), and annual civilian deaths dropped from 480 to 152. However, the article cautions against complacency, emphasizing that governance failures, local grievances, and lack of institutional trust can reignite extremism if left unaddressed.

The Way Forward: Governance and Inclusion as the Real Solution

The fight against Naxalism is fundamentally about strengthening governance, accountability, and justice. Where citizens trust the state to be fair and effective, extremism loses its ground. Sustainable peace depends on inclusive growth, institutional transparency, and empowerment of local communities — ensuring that progress reaches every citizen.

UPSC Relevance

• Topics: Internal Security, Left Wing Extremism, Governance, Inclusive Development, Ethics in Governance.
• Paper Links:
• GS Paper 3: Internal security challenges; role of governance in countering extremism.
• GS Paper 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections and the role of state institutions.
• Key Takeaway: The decline of Naxalism demonstrates that inclusive development, justice, and strong governance are the most effective antidotes to extremism — not force alone.