Development and extremism have been linked to each other in a complex manner.
All people have the right to improve their standard of living with adequate food, clothing, housing, quality education, health and a decent lifestyle.
History shows us that the lack of these necessities drives people to revolt against colonial authorities as they did at the time. The lack of development has led the general public to rely on radical means to claim their rights.
The relationship between the development and extremism
Undeveloped is creating conditions for the spread of uprisings and extremist ideologies among those who recognize that the government does not meet their needs. It’s a fact. It is the policy of governments around the world today to emphasize comprehensive development, but there are always groups in every state that feel marginalized because they feel left out of development efforts. These perceptions, coupled with inefficient and corrupt governance, set the stage for extremist and radical growth. Lack of effort, mismanagement, and the inability of systems to engage communities left out of society fuel violence and extremism more than lack of actual development. In the context of India, left-wing extremism or Naxalite is a good example of the correlation between development and extremism.
It has been observed that extremist activities are limited to certain areas where there is an administrative and development vacuum. Government growth programs have not trickled down to these regions.
Here are the reasons why underdevelopment activities lead to extremist actions:
Tribal grievances: Tribes that depend on forest products have been banned from using forest products under the Conservation Law Forest in 1980. The mass displacement of tribal people due to development projects, mining activities and other factors also angered the tribal community. The Naxals/Maoists took advantage of these emotions and provided these vulnerable people with weapons and money.
Unemployment: unemployment, poverty, lack of health care, lack of education and awareness, lack of access to electricity, internet connection and communication, are the list of problems that the government has not yet addressed. in these fields. The widening gap between rich and poor between such a backward region and the rest of the country has become the fuel for Naxalism to spread like wildfire.
Lack of management: Irregular management, lack of management in remote areas, poor implementation and poor management of government programs have caused people a feeling of suffering. Development projects are poorly executed, fueling extremism in the region. Social repression: Social discrimination against vulnerable communities and tribal communities is one of the main reasons for extremist activities when the Naxalites provide them support to promote the movement.
Travel: Tourism is doing more harm than good to the tribal areas of the Naxal belt. The introduction of foreign influence and commercialization caused the disintegration of tribal society, leading to radical activism.
Development and fall of extremism
Revolutionary ideology has lost its former appeal, evident in the residents’ disinterest in joining the militia. The improved performance of the state on the development and governance front makes it difficult for the insurgents to develop in the way they once did. The center initiated the development and good management practices deprived the insurgents of support for the affected populations. The most important steps taken by the Center were the enactment of a number of landmark laws that recognized the Adivasis’s right to access to forest resources and self-governance – the passage of the Forest Residents Act in 2006 in defiance of the strong opposition from environmentalists and NGOs. Strengthen security-focused measures to counter the burgeoning Maoist movement. They have arrested more than 7,000 activists in the past three years, while an equal number of Maoists have surrendered to authorities in various states. The loss of strongholds, a decline in ideological attractiveness, and a crisis of leadership, as well as the improved performance of affected states on the socio-economic fronts, could cause The uprising is unlikely to regain the momentum it had decades ago. Significant improvements in security agencies, especially the police force, improved security and intelligence infrastructure, as well as better command and control systems for tracking rebels and Their movement also contributes to security.
CONCLUSION
It is important to strengthen the State’s protective shield against the multifaceted exploitation of these populations. Civil and constitutional rights protections related to the law need to be made more effective against Scheduled Actors and Scheduled Tribes. Land policies must be made easier for the vulnerable classes of agrarian society. Developing beneficial land policies will improve food security and livelihoods, and reduce acts of extremism.
Livelihood security can be ensured by establishing quality infrastructure, technical assistance services and effective market linkages at the village or village group level to promote subsistence and sustainable activities in the region. livestock, aquaculture, gardening, growing mulberry, raising silkworms and poultry. The state needs to ensure more development work and its practical implementation with high priority, requiring a clean, corruption-free and accountable administration at all levels. grant. As we have seen, developments and extremism are closely related and must be approached from the same angle.
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a critical component in ensuring that the poorest of the poor have access to livelihood support and protection.
