Content

1. Maoist Insurgency is Dying, Now Tackle Its Causes
2. On Autism, Let’s Talk About Support, Not Vaccines

Maoist Insurgency is Dying, Now Tackle Its Causes

Why in News ?

• The article highlights the sharp decline of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Maoist insurgency in India, describing it as being in its “terminal phase”.
• It urges policymakers to focus on addressing root causes—economic deprivation, inequality, and governance deficits—to ensure the insurgency does not revive in newer forms.

Relevance

• GS Paper 3: Internal Security – Left Wing Extremism, Counter-insurgency Measures, Role of Development in Security.
• GS Paper 2: Governance, Welfare Implementation in Tribal Areas, Inclusive Growth.

Practice Question

• “While the Maoist insurgency in India is declining militarily, its ideological roots in inequality and deprivation continue to survive.” Discuss with reference to recent data and policy responses.(250 Words )

Maoist Insurgency in India

• Origins:
  • Traces back to 1967 Naxalbari uprising (West Bengal) led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal.
  • Ideology rooted in Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, advocating armed revolution against the Indian state to represent the marginalized and landless poor.
• Spread:
  • Expanded through the “Red Corridor” spanning 10 states — Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • At its peak (~2010), 223 districts were LWE-affected.

Present Status (2025)

• Collapse of Cadres:
  • As per South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), by Oct 2025:
    • 333 Maoists killed, 398 arrested, 1,787 surrendered.
    • Large-scale surrenders in Bijapur, Bastar, and Gadchiroli.
  • People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) — operational arm of CPI (Maoist) — “on its last legs.”
  • CPI (Maoist) politburo and central committee nearly decimated.
• Shrinking Footprint:
  • As per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), number of LWE-affected districts reduced to 13 (from 90+ in 2010).
• Declining Violence:
  • Violent incidents dropped by over 70% between 2010–2024 (MHA data).
  • Security forces have achieved dominance in traditional Maoist strongholds (Bastar, Sukma, Malkangiri).

Causes of Decline

• Integrated security–development approach under the “National Policy and Action Plan (2015)”.
• Enhanced CAPF deployment and joint operations with local police.
• Infrastructure development (roads, telecom, banks, ITIs, schools) in LWE districts.
• Surrender and rehabilitation schemes encouraging reintegration of cadres.
• Technology integration: UAVs, drones, intelligence sharing, and PFMS tracking of funds.

Persistent Structural Causes

Despite military success, root socio-economic causes remain unresolved:

• Poverty and Inequality:
  • Malkangiri (Odisha) HDI: 0.37 vs State avg. 0.57 (UNDP 2022).
  • High deprivation in health, nutrition, and education.
• Malnutrition:
  • NFHS-5 (2022): In Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), 1 in 3 children stunted; >60% women anemic.
• Infrastructure Gaps:
  • Poor road connectivity and access to schools, health centers, banks.
• Tribal Displacement:
  • Mining and industrial projects in mineral-rich tribal belts (e.g., Dantewada, Koraput, Gadchiroli) led to land alienation and loss of livelihood.
• Governance Deficit:
  • Weak local administration and corruption in tribal welfare funds.

Core Argument by article

• The insurgency’s ideological base has eroded, but its social roots persist.
• Maoism initially attracted followers due to neglect and inequality; those conditions remain in many areas.
• If inequality, land issues, and deprivation are not resolved, subversive ideologies may re-emerge under different forms.
• The “final battle” is not military but developmental and governance-centric.

Governance & Policy Recommendations

• Inclusive Development: Focused interventions in HDI-deprived LWE districts.
• Land & Forest Rights: Effective implementation of Forest Rights Act (2006) and PESA Act (1996) to empower tribal governance.
• Education & Skill Training: Expansion of ITIs, residential schools (Eklavya), and digital literacy.
• Nutrition and Health: Integrated programs (POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mission Saksham Anganwadi).
• Participatory Governance: Strengthen Gram Sabhas and Panchayats in tribal belts.
• Monitoring: District-level convergence cells for real-time developmental audits.

Key Data Points

Significance

• Marks a major counter-insurgency success for India’s internal security apparatus.
• Demonstrates efficacy of “Security–Development–Governance” model.
• But also a warning: neglecting socio-economic justice can reignite extremism.

Conclusion

• Security victory, not social resolution: The decline in Maoist violence represents a major internal security success, yet enduring deprivation and alienation in tribal belts continue to feed potential discontent.
• From coercion to correction: The next phase must emphasize inclusive governance, land justice, and participatory development, turning counter-insurgency into state legitimacy.
• Preventive peace-building: Unless governance fills the developmental vacuum with equity and dignity, extremism may mutate into new forms — from Maoism to localized socio-political radicalism.

On Autism, Let’s Talk About Support, Not Vaccines

Why in News ?

• The article responds to a recent controversial statement by Sridhar Vembu (Zoho founder) on social media linking autism to vaccines, a claim scientifically disproven by decades of global research.
• The writer emphasizes shifting the public debate from “vaccines cause autism” to “how to support autistic individuals and their families” through better policy, insurance, and education frameworks.

Relevance

• GS 2: Health, Education, and Welfare of Vulnerable Sections.
• GS 4: Ethics – Empathy, Social Responsibility, Human Dignity.

Practice Question

• “Autism discourse in India must move from debates on causation to creating structures of care and inclusion.” Examine with reference to recent policy and social challenges.(250 Words)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Definition:
  A neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior, existing on a spectrum — ranging from mild to severe.
• Global Context:
  • WHO (2024): Approx. 1 in 100 children globally diagnosed with ASD.
  • CDC (USA, 2023): 1 in 36 children aged 8 identified with ASD.
• Indian Scenario:
  • ICMR estimates: ~18 million individuals (1–1.5% of population) on the autism spectrum.
  • Rising diagnosis attributed to better awareness and screening, not vaccine exposure.

The Vaccine–Autism Controversy: A Scientific Clarification

• Origin of the Myth:
  • A 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield in The Lancet falsely linked the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) to autism.
  • Study retracted (2010); Wakefield lost medical license.
• Scientific Consensus:
  • WHO, CDC, ICMR confirm: No causal link between vaccines and autism.
  • Vaccines are essential for childhood survival and herd immunity.
• Current Challenge:
  • Misinformation on social media continues to erode trust in immunization drives.

Key Argument of the Article

• The real conversation should focus on:
  • Lack of institutional and financial support for parents.
  • Inadequate insurance coverage for therapy.
  • Poor school inclusivity for neurodivergent children.
• Writer calls for policy empathy and systemic change instead of reviving disproven debates.

Challenges Faced by Parents & Caregivers

• High Cost of Therapy:
  • Speech, occupational, and behavioral therapies cost ₹50,000–₹60,000/month.
  • Many parents discontinue therapy due to unaffordability after 1–2 years.
• Limited Insurance Coverage:
  • Most health insurance plans in India exclude neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Urban Bias:
  • Autism-specific therapy and special schools largely concentrated in Tier-1 cities.
• Educational Barriers:
  • Schools often lack inclusive infrastructure and trained special educators.
  • Many institutions pressure parents to withdraw autistic children.
• Social Isolation:
  • Families face stigma, misinformation, and emotional burnout.

Policy Gaps and Needed Reforms

• Insurance Reform:
  • Include autism and related conditions under IRDAI-mandated coverage for children.
  • Recognize lifelong therapy needs under Ayushman Bharat and state insurance schemes.
• Inclusive Education:
  • Enforce Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, mandating inclusive classrooms.
  • Scale up Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED) component under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
• Parent Support Networks:
  • Create district-level Autism Resource Centres with psychologists and therapists.
• Flexible Work Policies:
  • Encourage corporates to adopt neurodiversity-friendly HR practices — flexible hours, caregiver leave.
• Rural Outreach:
  • Expand therapy access via teleconsultation and district hospitals.

Misinformation & Social Media Risks

• Online misinformation fuels fear of vaccination and distracts from real challenges.
• Influencers often promote pseudo-therapies — detox diets, heavy metal cleanses, etc., with no scientific basis.
• Parents spend huge sums on unverified “cures”, risking delay in early interventions.
• Need for fact-based digital literacy and responsible speech from public figures.

Data Snapshot

Ethical and Social Dimension

• Language sensitivity: Avoiding terms like “cure” or “disease”.
• Empathy and inclusion: Recognizing autism as a form of neurodiversity, not a defect.
• Government accountability: Ensuring autistic citizens’ rights to education, healthcare, and employment.

Conclusion

• Shift the narrative: The autism debate must move from debunked causation myths to evidence-based support systems — centering on inclusion, empathy, and lifelong care.
• Policy and institutional urgency: India needs robust insurance reforms, inclusive education, and decentralized therapy access to make neurodiversity part of public health discourse.
• Ethical leadership and awareness: Influencers and policymakers must promote scientific literacy, responsible speech, and social compassion — ensuring dignity and opportunity for every neurodivergent child.