Shattering Illusions: Maoism is not 'Left-Wing Extremism' but a form of 'Terrorism'

Within the realm of political ideologies, the term "left-wing extremism" often evokes thoughts of radicalism and fervent activism. However, lurking beneath the surface of this extremist landscape lies a somber reality that demands our immediate attention and scrutiny.

It is time to dispel the illusions that have clouded our understanding and confront the stark truth. The time has come that we have to illuminate the true essence of Maoism, exposing its acts of violence, its devastating impact on societies, and the pressing need to reclassify it as terrorism.

There has been a deep sense of resentment against the Maoists, also known as Left Wing/Communist Terrorists, in the state of Chhattisgarh since the tragic attack in the Dantewada region that resulted in the sacrifice of 10 security personnel and one civilian driver.

From social media to the statements of all the leaders, this incident has been widely discussed. The Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have also commented on the incident, sparking national-level discussions. However, as time goes by, the incident is slowly being forgotten.

It is not the first time that the Maoists have launched an attack in Chhattisgarh, but no large-scale campaign has been carried out to eliminate them by state government.

Despite claims by Congress leaders in Chattisgarh that the Maoist organization is counting its last breath, the reality is that the Maoists have continuously strengthened their organization and carried out an increasing number of terrorist activities in affected areas of Chhattisgarh.

In 2023 alone, the Maoists have attacked a security force vehicle resulting in the death of 10 security personnel and a civilian driver on April 26. On March 27, Maoists killed a Head Constable of CAF Sanjay Lakda in the Bastar division.

Despite these incidents occurring on such a large scale in just four months, there is no discussion of the terror being perpetrated by Maoists in any national media or debate.

In contrast, when Pakistan sponsored terrorism caused a major terrorist attack on security personnel in Pulwama prior to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, the Indian government ordered the army to take strict steps, resulting in an air strike on terrorist bases in Pakistan.

When the terrorist attack in Uri occurred, the Indian Army carried out a surgical strike by entering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir area. The Indian Army also entered the border of Myanmar when terrorists created a ruckus in the North East region.

However, Maoism is not always projected as terrorism. Although we refer to it as Red Terror and Left Terrorism through newspaper reports and articles, government documents define Maoism as Left Wing Extremism. The rehabilitation scheme for Maoists and a variety of other schemes also run.

It is clear from the way the Maoists have waged war that they have no faith in any kind of peace or in the democratic system in India. Their only belief is that "Power comes out of the barrel of a gun." When people who hold such views are handed guns, it is nothing less than terrorism.

International examples also show the devastating impact that Maoist insurgencies can have on communities. In Nepal, for instance, the Maoist insurgency that began in 1996 claimed the lives of over 17,000 people and led to the displacement of over 100,000. While the insurgency officially ended in 2006, the legacy of violence and political instability continues to this day.

Similarly, in Peru, the Maoist-inspired Shining Path insurgency waged a brutal campaign against the government for over a decade, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Although the group was largely defeated in the 1990s, remnants of the group continue to operate in rural areas.

Therefore, there is a need to remove Maoism terrorism from the category of left-wing extremism and consider it as terrorism. It is not an insurgency but complete terrorism.

Additionally, people who call Maoists-Naxalites as revolutionary and refer to this guerrilla war as revolution, trying to save them by giving them an ideological shield, should be monitored.

Those journalists, writers, activists and thinkers should also think that after how many corpses, they will stop favoring the Maoists?

Even those so-called intellectuals should now consider that, after the sacrifice of how many more soldiers, they will see the violence of Maoists as terrorism?

Now it has to be understood that the basic ideology of Maoism is only full of terror. It is not an ideology of extremism but an ideology of terrorism. And Maoism cannot be eradicated by considering it extremist/extremism, but only by considering it as terrorism.