![Union Home Minister Amit Shah vows to eradicate Naxalism by 2026. Does India’s anti-Naxal operations strategy focus on force over reconciliation? [Image via The Hindu]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MaoistRebelsArt.webp)
India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a high-profile visit to Bastar, Chhattisgarh, paid tribute to martyrs of Naxal violence and vowed to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026. This pledge, however, comes amid growing criticism of India’s anti-Naxal operations, characterized by allegations of human rights abuses, forced land seizures, and suppression of dissent.
In his address at the Amar Shaheed Smarak, Shah praised the state government’s efforts, claiming security forces had neutralized a record number of Naxalites within a year: “Security forces neutralized 287 Naxalites, arrested approximately 1,000, and facilitated the surrender of 837.” He further asserted that security forces had liberated vast territories from Naxal control, hailing these as “unprecedented achievements” of India’s anti-Naxal operations.
The Dark Side of India’s Anti-Naxal Operations
The government highlights its successes in anti-Naxal operations. These include the neutralization of 287 Naxalites, the arrest of approximately 1,000 individuals, and the surrender of 837 rebels. However, human rights organizations and experts emphasize the darker side of these operations.
Shah claimed that security forces had liberated vast territories from Naxal control, describing these actions as “unprecedented.” However, experts highlight a disturbing trend. The state has heavily militarized Naxalite-affected regions and established three forward bases of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in core Naxalite areas. It has also increasingly targeted marginalized tribal populations. These actions portray an image of oppression rather than reconciliation.
Also See: Weaponization of Narratives: The India-Israel Playbook
The Brutality of Militarized Solutions
In just one week, 32 Naxalites were killed in encounters, sparking concerns over excessive use of lethal force. Experts argue that such operations sideline grievances central to the conflict, including demands for land rights, agricultural reforms, healthcare, and jobs. The government’s branding of Naxalite groups like the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and CPI-ML as “terrorist organizations” leaves no space for political engagement.
Security forces’ actions, supported by Home Minister Amit Shah’s rhetoric of “zero tolerance”, reflect what some call the typical Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mantra of aggressive militarization. Under the Modi regime, which is dominated by Hindutva ideology, there is little room for political solutions. Despite promises of peace and reconciliation, the government has shown no interest in fulfilling its commitments to the oppressed tribal populations in Naxal-affected areas, where 60-70% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Socioeconomic Failures and Unmet Promises
India’s anti-Naxal operations often emphasize the government’s phased plans, with Shah claiming that they would achieve 100% saturation of welfare schemes and approve 15,000 houses in Naxal-affected regions. However, critics argue that these measures are grossly insufficient to address the systemic deprivation faced by tribal communities. The region continues to suffer from a lack of basic infrastructure, healthcare, and educational opportunities. Despite promises, the government has failed to alleviate the poverty and marginalization experienced by tribal populations, reinforcing the perception that the government is more interested in military control than in social justice. Moreover, this highlights the limitations of India’s anti-Naxal operations in addressing root causes.
A Broader Pattern of Human Rights Violations
India’s militarized approach to the Naxalite insurgency mirrors its heavy-handed policies in Indian-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Forced land seizures, suppression of dissent, and rising communal violence reflect a broader pattern of state-led marginalization under the current regime.
United Nations experts criticized India in March 2024 for attacks on minorities, women, and civil society, urging immediate action to protect human rights. The parallels between India’s anti-Naxal operations and its policies in other restive regions raise questions about the government’s commitment to reconciliation and justice – suggestive of an approach whic is not one of reconciliation, but rather one of suppression.
Rising Discontent and Alienation
The BJP’s rise to power in 2019 exacerbated social polarization and unrest, both in tribal regions and among other marginalized communities. The BJP government’s policies, from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to the mishandling of farmer protests, have exacerbated social polarization and unrest. Tribal populations and other marginalized groups view the state’s actions as a direct assault on their identity and rights. Naxalite insurgents, controlling large swathes of territory, have thrived on this discontent, highlighting governance and security failures.
The conflict has caused between 12,877 to 15,269 deaths since 1996, according to the United States Department of Justice, a staggering toll that highlights the human cost of the conflict. Despite the government’s claims of progress, there is little evidence of a sustainable peace or a genuine effort to address the grievances of the affected populations.
A Divided Legacy and a Call for Change
As Shah promises a “Naxal-free India” by 2026, the shadow of brutality and systemic neglect looms large. The central government’s reliance on force rather than dialogue may achieve temporary gains, but the question remains: at what cost to India’s democracy and human rights?
Experts and international organizations argue that the Indian government’s approach risks further alienation and violence. This issue requires development and reconciliation rather than militarization, argue human rights advocates. A shift towards inclusive growth, land reforms, and social justice is imperative to addressing the root causes of insurgency. International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil society must pressure the Indian state to adopt humane policies, moving beyond counter-insurgency tactics and vigilantism. A concerted effort is needed to restore trust among marginalized communities, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld.
Without addressing the core socio-economic grievances, India’s attempts to quell the Naxalite insurgency will remain largely ineffective. The scars of this decades-long struggle are unlikely to heal unless the Indian government acknowledges the failures of its military approach. It must embrace a more inclusive and just path forward. Genuine reconciliation is essential, along with addressing the needs of marginalized communities. By implementing comprehensive reforms, India can hope to resolve the root causes of insurgency and build lasting peace.
SAT Commentaries’ are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for website use. Views are their own.
SAT Commentaries, a collection of insightful social media threads on current events and social issues, featuring diverse perspectives from various authors.
![Afghanistan minister for refugees Khalil Haqqani in 2022. [Image: AFP via Getty Images]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/im-14501661-150x150.webp)
Add a Comment