The Naxalite–Maoist insurgency, officially referred to as the Left Wing Extremism, is an ongoing conflict between Maoist groups known as Naxalites or Naxals; a group of far-left radical communists, supportive of Maoist political sentiment and ideology, and the Indian government.

Who started the Naxalite movement?

The insurgency started in 1967 in the Naxalbari village of West Bengal by a radical faction of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal dubbed the Naxalbari uprising.

Why was the Naxalite movement started?

Charu Majumdar and his followers labelled their movement as a “popular protest against injustice and exploitation“. In fact, they aimed to strengthen India's democratic structure and establishing a communist dictatorship through violence and guerilla activities.