Tag Archives: Left wing extremism
Leftwing Extremism 2017: Sparks from a Flailing Revolution
Leftwing Extremism 2017: Sparks from a Flailing Revolution
NIAS Strategic Forecast No. 20 | Author: Bibu Prasad Routray| April 2017
To read the complete report click here
To cite: Bibu Prasad Routray. “Leftwing Extremism 2017: Sparks from a Flailing Revolution,” NIAS Strategic Forecast No. 20. Bangalore: International Strategic and Security Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, April 2017.
Shrinking presence of the left-wing extremists, their reduced ability to orchestrate attacks and produce dead bodies of civilians and security forces; and the state’s ability to find support among the traditional recruitment base of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) – all these are reasons for official optimism regarding the LWE situation in the country.
How is the LWE situation likely to evolve in the country in 2017? This has been analysed from the three important perspectives – state attempts to quell the extremist rebellion, the extremists’ attempts to revive and reorganise their fight, and the aspirations of the people- providing a comprehensive account of how the LWE situation may unfold in 2017.
Book Review – Naxal Violence: The Threat Within
Scholar Warrior, Autumn 2015, pp. 138-141
Suparna Banerjee, Senior Research Fellow, ISSSP, NIAS
Despite the fact that the problem of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) has been going on for a long time, there have been limited attempts to address and resolve it. Most of the approaches have had a partial impact, with the overall crisis expanding in both geography and gravity. This book is the result of the work by analysts who have been dealing with the issue for some time. The reason for choosing this book is because it contains work by an ensemble of writers who hail from different backgrounds and, therefore, eschews being trapped into political chauvinism.
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Empowering Power or Capturing Control – The Ways of Naxalism
Countercurrents, September 21, 2015
Suparna Banerjee, Senior Research Fellow, ISSSP, NIAS
One of India’s biggest security challenges is Left Wing Extremism. It is debated that the fight is for the marginalised. However most of the times it is found that the interests of the tribals are lost in this clamour for power. This article makes an attempt to argue if the Naxals are really empowering the tribals or using symbols to capture power.
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The Curious cases of ‘recruitment’ in Naxalism
Swarajya Magazine, August 11, 2015
Suparna Banerjee, Senior Research Fellow, ISSSP, NIAS
Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxalism is a much debated issue for various reasons. With the passage of time the Naxals have extended not only their influence but also their geographical reach. And in an effort to do this they have more than often compromised with their ideals. One such arena of compromise is their peculiar way of recruiting cadres. This article makes an attempt to study some of those recruitment drives that have increased the cadre strength of the outfit. This is apart from some of the serious issues like poverty and displacement that have pushed the triblas into the Naxal fold.
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The Colonial Legacy of Section 124 A and Naxalism
Libertatem Magazine, Issue 3, April 2015
Suparna Banerjee, Junior Research Fellow, ISSSP, NIAS
The colonial legacy of countries under imperial rule is a much talked about phenomenon. The question is how far will the dictates of the colonial past govern the present scenario. India with its long colonial history is no exception. It has been grappling with its colonial baggage and balancing the incompatibility between the past and the present. This article makes an attempt to highlight how India’s legal framework has been deeply impacted by the colonial past. The article specifically takes up the study of Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code which deals with sedition in the backdrop of Left Wing Extremism in India.
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Book Review: Jangalnama: An honest, compelling tale of travel in Maoist land
South Asia Monitor, Books, April 8, 2015
Suparna Banerjee, Junior Research Fellow, ISSSP, NIAS
Copyright: Penguin Books India
The book ‘Jangalnama – Travels in a Maoist Guerrilla Zone’ is not just a travelogue. It brings out the human element of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in a compelling and heart-rending way. Written by Satnam, a journalist by profession describing his experience of living among the guerrillas and providing a first-hand account of their life, what and how they eat, what they wear, what is their leisure activity, the life of the girls in the camps etc. The author primarily focuses on the distinct life led by Maoists in the wilderness and thereby deals with the theme of LWE in a nuanced way.
The geographical area covered in this book is part of South Bastar and it includes Bairamgarh, Golapalli, Konta, Durnapal, Maadh, Maded and Basaguda. The uniqueness of the book lies in the fact that the important issues generally associated with LWE such as underdevelopment, exploitation, land distribution, forest rights etc. are dealt with rather in a subtle manner.
