Govt’s victory over Naxalism is remarkable; must be highlighted

An unfortunate consequence of the politics oriented around sentiments is that not just real issues are ignored but also the real achievements often downplayed. The Narendra Modi regime’s successful fight against Naxalism or Maoism is one such instance; the government has almost eliminated Naxalism which former prime minister Manmohan Singh termed as the biggest internal security challenge that the nation faced.

And yet, neither the government’s supporters nor its detractors nor think the war against Naxals is worth commenting upon. It is mostly the building of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the removal of Article 370 which are discussed at length. Despite the magnitude of the achievement of overcoming the Naxal menace, it has not been adequately highlighted in public discourse.

The truth, however, is that the Naxal issue was as, if not more, important as any other subject that attracts the attention of politicians and analysts. But just because few recognise a problem doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.

As Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha, a complete Red Corridor had been created across 12 states, including Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, Kerala, parts of Karnataka, and three districts of Uttar Pradesh. In these areas, 12 crore people lived in poverty for years and 20,000 youths lost their lives.

Quite apart from providing facts and figures to highlight the importance of the matter, he hit the nail on the head by asserting that the root cause of Naxalism is not the demand for development, but an ideology. Root cause of Naxalism is not lack of development but Left-wing ideology, he added.

Shah also underscored the fact that the Naxals had deliberately chosen the entire Red Corridor because the reach of the state was weak there. Innocent tribals were misled and weapons were placed in their hands. Mao Zedong, who was responsible for the deaths of 40-70 million people of his own country, was presented as a hero. Naxalism did not spread because of poverty but it was the other way around, the Home Minister said.

Triumph over Maoism is a real and substantive achievement of the Modi regime. Emphasising the decline of Naxalism brings attention to the regions and communities that have historically been neglected. It shifts the focus to their development, their aspirations, and their integration into the broader national framework. This, in turn, can foster a more inclusive sense of progress—one that is not limited to urban centres or high-visibility projects.

For the government, this is an opportunity to build a legacy rooted in governance and measurable outcomes. While emotive issues will always have a place in politics, they need not dominate the narrative. A balanced approach—where symbolic achievements coexist with substantive policy successes—can create a more mature and constructive political environment.

Therefore, the near-elimination of Naxalism is not just a policy success; it is a testament to what sustained political will, strategic planning, and coordinated execution can achieve. It deserves far greater recognition than it currently receives.

By choosing to highlight such accomplishments, the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party can contribute to a shift in political culture—one that values real progress over rhetorical victories. For their benefit, the government and the BJP should focus on such feats rather than emotive religio-cultural issues.