New Delhi, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda has described Naxalism as an ideology rooted in perceived social and economic injustice but said violence cannot be justified as a means of addressing inequality.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Pitroda said the nature of Naxalism had changed considerably over the past four decades. He was responding to a question about the BJP’s claims regarding the decline of Maoism and its celebrations over the movement’s diminishing influence.
Recalling his understanding of Naxalism as a student, Pitroda said the movement was initially associated with people who believed they had been denied a fair share of resources and opportunities by the rich and powerful.
He argued that the underlying divide between privileged sections and marginalised communities continued to exist across the world, although its scale had changed.
“It’s an ideology. But when you resort to violence, that’s not good. I don’t buy into that,” he said, advocating dialogue as a way to address disagreements.
Pitroda said people with opposing views should be able to sit together, discuss their differences, agree or disagree and move forward without resorting to violence. He extended this argument to conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and other parts of the world.
“Violence does not solve the problem; it basically adds to the problem,” he said.
Referring to wars witnessed during his lifetime, Pitroda said armed conflicts had repeatedly resulted in deaths, destruction of assets and enormous expenditure on weapons, while ordinary people continued to suffer.
He said the Naxalite movement had changed after its members adopted violence, while clarifying that he was not an expert on the subject.
Pitroda’s remarks come amid the BJP’s assertions about the decline of Maoist insurgency and the government’s claims of progress in its efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism.
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