URBAN NAXALS: A THREAT TO INDIA

Naxalism is an extremist ideology rooted in the principles of Maoism. It originated in the late 1960s as an armed insurgency led by peasants and tribal communities in rural areas, primarily in central and eastern India.

The movement aims to overthrow the Indian state through armed struggle, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and the redistribution of land and resources. India has faced numerous external and internal security challenges, one of which is the rise of Urban Naxalism.

The term "Urban Naxal" refers to individuals or groups who, while not actively engaged in armed insurgency like their rural counterparts, provide ideological and logistical support to the Naxalite movement in Urban areas.

The Emergence of Urban Naxals

While the Naxalite movement primarily thrived in rural areas, the infiltration of its ideology into Urban centers has become a growing concern. Urban Naxals exploit democratic spaces, such as universities, NGOs, media, and cultural organizations, to propagate their agenda and further their cause.

They operate covertly, using a mix of activism, propaganda, and networking to mobilize support and recruit new members. The emergence of Urban Naxals in India is a phenomenon that has garnered significant attention in recent years.

While the Naxalite movement historically thrived in rural areas, the infiltration of its ideology into urban centers has posed new challenges for the Indian state. The factors contributing to their rise include:

Ideological Transition: The ideology of Naxalism advocates armed struggle and revolutionary change. Over time, a section of Naxalite sympathizers and cadres began to identify urban spaces as crucial in shaping public opinion, influencing discourse, and expanding their support base. This ideological transition led to the emergence of Urban Naxals who sought to propagate Naxalite ideology in urban centers.

Exploiting Democratic Spaces: Urban Naxals exploit democratic spaces such as universities, NGOs, media organizations, and cultural groups to further their agenda. They use the freedom afforded by democratic institutions to propagate their ideology, organize rallies, seminars, and workshops, and recruit new members. These spaces provide them with platforms to disseminate propaganda, gain intellectual legitimacy, and mobilize support for their cause.

Propagation of Propaganda: Urban Naxals engage in propaganda activities to shape public opinion and create a negative image of the government. They use social media platforms, online forums, and other channels to spread disinformation, distort facts, and glorify violence. By exploiting technology and the power of narratives, they aim to radicalize individuals and garner support for their cause.

Infiltration of Institutions: Urban Naxals actively infiltrate various institutions to influence the narrative and shape public discourse. They seek to gain positions of influence within academia, NGOs, media organizations, and cultural groups. By doing so, they can manipulate the discourse on issues such as human rights, social justice, and development to further their agenda and recruit sympathizers.

Logistical Support to Rural Naxals: One of the critical roles played by Urban Naxals is providing logistical support to their rural counterparts. They act as intermediaries, channeling funds, arms, and supplies to the armed Naxalite cadres operating in rural areas. This support network enables the Naxalite movement to sustain its insurgency, carry out attacks, and maintain its influence over marginalized communities.

Socio-economic Factors: The emergence of Urban Naxals is also linked to underlying socio-economic factors. Issues such as income disparities, unequal distribution of resources, and grievances of marginalized communities provide fertile ground for Naxalite ideology to take root. The Urban-rural divide, lack of inclusive development, and inadequate governance in certain regions contribute to the appeal of Naxalism among sections of the population.

Activities and Tactics of Urban Naxals

Urban Naxals engage in various activities that pose a threat to India's security and stability.

Firstly, they actively engage in propaganda, spreading disinformation and anti-state sentiments through social media platforms and other channels. They use their intellectual influence to romanticize violence, glorify armed struggle, and vilify the Indian government.

Secondly, Urban Naxals infiltrate institutions and organizations, influencing the narrative and shaping public opinion. They exploit academic freedom, organizing lectures, seminars, and workshops to propagate their ideology and recruit sympathizers.

By infiltrating NGOs and other civil society groups, they manipulate the discourse on issues like human rights, social justice, and development, often distorting facts to suit their agenda.

Furthermore, Urban Naxals provide logistical support to their rural counterparts. They act as intermediaries, channeling funds, arms, and supplies to the armed Naxalite cadres operating in the hinterlands. They also facilitate communication and coordination between different Naxalite factions, enabling them to sustain their insurgency.

Threat to India's Stability and Security

The activities of Urban Naxals pose a significant threat to India's stability and security on multiple levels. Their propaganda and radicalization efforts can influence vulnerable sections of society, particularly the youth, leading to the growth of a violent extremist mindset. This not only undermines the social fabric but also fuels the potential for armed conflict and internal strife. The ideological influence of Urban Naxals obstructs development and progress in affected areas.

By instigating violence, sabotaging infrastructure projects, and intimidating local populations, they hamper efforts aimed at improving living conditions and addressing socio-economic disparities. Moreover, the logistical support provided by Urban Naxals strengthens the rural Naxalite insurgency.

The armed cadres are sustained through a network of sympathizers, which includes Urban Naxals. This sustenance allows the Naxalite movement to continue its violent activities, leading to loss of lives, disruption of governance, and impeding the delivery of essential services.

In January 2018, violence erupted in the village of Bhima-Koregaon near Pune, Maharashtra. Investigations revealed alleged involvement of Urban Naxals in instigating and planning the violence.

In August 2018, several "so called" activists and intellectuals, including Sudha Bharadwaj, Varavara Rao, and Gautam Navlakha, were arrested by the police for their links with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). The authorities claimed that these individuals were part of the Urban Naxal network and were involved in planning and organizing activities to destabilize the government.

The rise of Urban Naxalism in India presents a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. The government, security agencies, and civil society need to work together to counter the threat posed by Urban Naxals.

This entails strengthening intelligence networks, improving coordination between law enforcement agencies, and addressing the underlying socio-economic issues that affects the naxal prone areas in India.

Article by



Rohit Upadhyay

Younginker
Research Scholar
Nainital, Uttarakhand