Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is a concept that refers to the violent insurgency in India driven by Maoist or Naxalite ideologies, which is classified as a major internal security challenge. It is also commonly known as Naxalism or Maoism. The primary organization behind this movement is the Communist Party of India (Maoist), which is designated as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The movement originated with a peasant revolt in the village of Naxalbari, West Bengal, in 1967. This uprising, led by figures like Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, was a response to deep-seated socio-economic inequalities, land disputes, and the exploitation of marginalized communities. The core objective of LWE groups is to overthrow the democratic state through armed revolution and establish a classless society. The movement spread across several states, forming the region often termed the "Red Corridor". The Communist Party of India (Maoist) was formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCCI).
The government's counter-strategy is a multi-pronged approach formalized in the National Policy and Action Plan to address Left Wing Extremism (2015). A key mechanism is the SAMADHAN framework, enunciated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2017, which focuses on security, development, and financial choking. The Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme is a sub-scheme of the 'Modernization of Police Forces' that reimburses security-related costs to LWE-affected states. The government's strategy also connects to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) to address the root causes of tribal grievances.
The situation has changed recently, with the number of LWE-affected districts under the SRE scheme declining from 126 in 2013 to 38 in 2024. The MHA has set a target for the complete elimination of LWE by March 2026.