Urban Naxalism

To prevent unlawful activities by individuals and organizations and to curb the threat of Naxalism and its supporters in urban areas, the Maharashtra government presented a bill named the “Maharashtra Special Public Safety Act 2024,” the legal provisions of this bill are intended to curb the threat of Naxalism and its supporters in urban areas.

About

• The Maharashtra Special Public Safety Act 2024 aims to combat unlawful activities linked to Naxalism and its supporters in urban areas.
• It categorizes involvement in violence, promoting fear among the public, and encouraging disobedience to established laws as unlawful.
• The Act makes all offenses cognizable and non-bailable, with penalties including imprisonment ranging from three to seven years and fines between Rs 3 to 5 lakh for joining unlawful organizations.
• Need behind the bill: The menace of Naxalism is not only limited to remote areas of the Naxal-affected states, but its presence is increasing in the urban areas also through the Naxal frontal organisations. The spread of active frontal organisations of Naxal groups gives constant and effective support in terms of logistics and safe refuge to their armed cadres.

Urban Naxalism in India

• Urban Naxalism has emerged as a contentious issue in India, blending socio-political ideology with security concerns. Originating from the Maoist insurgency in rural India, particularly the Naxalite movement, Urban Naxalism represents a shift towards urban centers where sympathizers and ideologues support or facilitate Maoist activities.
• Unlike their rural counterparts engaged in armed struggle, Urban Naxals operate covertly, using intellectual and cultural platforms to propagate their ideology, recruit followers, and mobilize support.
• They often exploit democratic freedoms such as free speech and association to further their cause, posing a challenge to law enforcement agencies.
• Factors Driving Urban Naxalism:
  • Socio-Economic Disparities: Economic inequalities and marginalized communities feeling neglected by mainstream development policies can fuel discontent and sympathy towards radical ideologies.
  • Perceived Injustice: Issues like land acquisition, displacement of tribal populations, and alleged state repression in conflict zones contribute to grievances that Urban Naxals exploit.
  • Intellectual and Ideological Influence: Intellectual circles, universities, and cultural spaces provide platforms for articulating dissent and critiquing the state, sometimes aligning with or providing cover for Naxalite activities.
• Challenges:
  • National Security Concerns: Urban Naxalism is viewed by authorities as a threat to national security due to its potential to incite violence, undermine state authority, and destabilize governance.
  • Freedom of Expression vs. Sedition: The thin line between legitimate dissent and sedition is often debated, with arrests of activists and intellectuals accused of supporting Naxalism raising concerns about freedom of expression.
  • Legal and Ethical Dilemmas: Law enforcement faces challenges in balancing preventive actions with civil liberties, leading to criticism over the arbitrary use of anti-terror laws against dissenters.

PYQ

Q. Naxalism is a social, economic and development issues manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism. (2022)