(a) Why was Naxalite movement considered as a threat to the democracy?

Question

 Read the given passage and answer the following questions. 

The Naxalite movement has used force to snatch land from the rich landowners and give it to the poor and the landless. Its supporters advocated the use of violent means to achieve their political goals In spite of the use of preventive of detention and other strong measures adopted by the West Bengal government, the Naxalite movement did not come to an end. In later years it spread to many other parts of the country. The Naxalite Movement has by now splintered into various parties and organizations. Some of these parties like the CPI – ML (Liberation) participate in open democratic politics. Nine states are affected by Naxalite violence. Most of these are very backward areas inhabited by Adivasis. 

(a) Why was Naxalite movement considered as a threat to the democracy?  

(b) How the Naxalite movement came into existence in India?  

(c) Why the role of Indian government has been criticized by various Human Rights Activists in dealing with Naxalites?

Answer 1

(a) (i) The Naxalite movement advocates the use of violent means to achieve their political goals. This leads to anarchy in the society. 

(ii) They have initiated their armed fight against the state security forces, thereby are challenging the inherent ideals of the state, namely sovereignty and monopoly on the use of force. (Any other valid point shall be considered) 

(b)(i) In 1967 a peasant uprising took place in the Naxalbari police station area of Darjeeling hills district in West Bengal under the leadership of the local cadres of the communist party of India (Marxist). Beginning from the Naxalbari police station, the peasant movement spread to several states of India and came to referred broadly as the Naxalite movement. 

(ii) In 1969, they broke off from the CPI (M) and a new party, communist party (Marxist-Leninist) 

(c) Various Human Rights Activists have criticized the government for violating constitutional norms in dealing with the Naxalites. Thousands people have lost their lives in the violence by the Naxalites and the anti-Naxalite Violence by the government.