Editorial: Operation Kagar — give peace talks a chance

The ideology of naxalism should be eradicated through dialogue and not by the use of force alone

In 2009, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dubbed naxalism as the “gravest internal security threat” to India. Nearly 15 years later, union Home Minister Amit Shah has set March 31, 2026, as the deadline for completely rooting out naxalism from the country. While it is an undeniable fact that the impact of Maoist ideology has been on a steady decline, particularly among the post-liberalisation generation, it cannot be wished away. Dealing with Left Wing Extremism requires a nuanced strategy — it cannot be treated simply as a law and order problem. A combination of socio-economic development and a sustained campaign to wean the youth away from the violent path is needed to make a difference. The NDA government must heed the suggestions from the opposition parties and initiate talks with Maoists to find a lasting solution. There is a growing demand for putting an end to ‘Operation Kagar’ being carried out by the security forces in Chhattisgarh forests to eliminate Maoists. The Centre must explore the path of dialogue, particularly in the wake of talks offered by the outlawed CPI (Maoist). The killing spree must stop and a democratic space must be created to listen to each other. The ideology of naxalism should be eradicated only through dialogue and not by the use of force alone. It is not expected to be eliminated by setting deadlines or military means alone.

It involves a battle of ideas that needs to be fought continuously and won every single time. The fight against naxalism can be won by providing good quality governance. Despite its sanguinary nature, the Maoist movement manages to influence a section of the tribals and the poorest of the poor in some pockets, by using coercive means. While the number of armed cadres of naxalite outfits may have come down drastically over the years, their ability to pull off surprise strikes cannot be underestimated. Their potential for disruption cannot be ignored. At the core of the Maoist ideology is the belief that power can be captured through the barrel of a gun and annihilation of class enemies. This abominable path has no place in democratic societies and hence must be fought on multiple fronts. Weak governance, corruption and inadequate provision of basic services in affected regions contribute to a sense of alienation and disillusionment among the local population. The inability of the governments to address the root causes of discontent creates space for extremist groups to exploit the situation. Development policies that fail to reach the grassroots level and address the specific needs of marginalised communities contribute to the appeal of leftist ideologies. Moreover, the uneven distribution of the benefits of economic growth exacerbates social inequalities. Left Wing Extremist groups position themselves as champions of the oppressed, promising to address the economic and social disparities that persist in these regions.