Mentor’s Comment: The narrative of militancy in India is shifting. While the world warns of AI-fuelled terrorism and increasingly sophisticated threats, India is witnessing a rare counter-trend, a decline in ideologically-driven insurgencies such as Naxalism. This moment is not just a statistic; it’s a significant turning point in the country’s internal security landscape, marking the potential closure of a decades-long chapter that once defined violent dissent in India.

Introduction

At a time when global terrorism persists ranging from lone-wolf attacks to fears of AI-enabled bio-terrorism India is witnessing an unprecedented success story. Naxalism, an ideologically-driven insurgency that once gripped large parts of the country, is in clear decline. For the first time, the Union Home Minister has set a timeline, predicting its “final demise” by mid-2026.

The Changing Global and Indian Terrorism Landscape

How does global terrorism contrast with India’s current experience?

1. Persistent global threat: A quarter-century after 9/11, jihadist violence remains potent, with incidents such as IS-inspired vehicle rammings in Europe and the U.S.
2. Emerging AI-driven dangers: Concerns over terrorists accessing bio-weapons or misaligned AI pose new challenges.
3. India’s divergence: While global trends show intensification, India is experiencing a declining curve in ideologically-oriented militancy, particularly Naxalism.

From ‘Spring Thunder’ to a Fading Echo — The Rise and Decline of Naxalism

1. Revolutionary origins: Inspired by Mao, Ho Chi Minh, and Che Guevara, the late 1960s Naxalite movement attracted students, intellectuals, and marginalized groups.
2. Loss of ideological cohesion: Splits into regional factions eroded the all-India character of the movement.
3. Degeneration into violence: From targeted political action, it shifted to indiscriminate killings, losing public sympathy.

Why is Naxalism Declining?

1. Sustained Offensive (2024 onwards): Coordinated security operations across states have eliminated thousands of cadres.
2. Major Losses: Even the banned CPI (Maoist) admitted 357 cadres killed in one year, over one-third of them women.
3. Leadership & Territorial Shrinkage: The removal of top leaders like Ganapathi and confinement of the insurgency to the Dandakaranya region reflect its weakening base.
4. Weakening: Infighting and loss of ideological cohesion have eroded its strength.

India’s Approach vs. U.S. ‘War on Terror’

1. U.S. model: Heavy reliance on brute force in places like Somalia and Yemen.
2. India’s model: A calibrated strategy with checks on use of force, mindful of the Naxalites’ local roots. The SAMADHAN Doctrine—Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation, Intelligence, Technology use, Local action plans, and choking finances—has guided the campaign.

Original Naxalites vs. “Urban Naxals”

1. Original movement: The 1960s “Spring Thunder Over India” drew inspiration from Mao and Che Guevara, but degenerated into fragmented violence.
2. Contemporary misuse: Today’s “urban naxals” are loosely-knit intellectual critics of government policy, lacking the ideological foundation of the original movement. Misclassification of the two risks policy errors.

Conclusion

The decline of Naxalism marks an inflection point in India’s internal security narrative. Yet, premature declarations of victory must be avoided, as history shows insurgencies can mutate or re-emerge. Accurate threat classification, addressing root grievances, and avoiding cognitive blind spots will be key to ensuring that the “end of Naxalism” is indeed a lasting reality.

Practice Mains Question

Discuss the factors contributing to the decline of Naxalism in India and examine the implications for the country’s internal security architecture.

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