One of the biggest challenges of India’s internal security is Naxalism. In the last two decades, it has not only been in the fire of violence to the tribal dominated areas of Central India, but has also challenged the democratic institutions of many states. The role of policy makers, judiciary and constitutional officials in the fight against Naxalism has been decisive. Therefore, the incidents related to the candidates who have come up for the Vice Presidential elections of the country have once again brought the discussion on the Naxalism issue to the center of discussion. On the one hand, NDA candidate is CP Radhakrishnan, who sent his constitutional responsibility by sending the Maharashtra government law to the President, which has taken a tough stand against Naxalism, on the other hand, Justice B.C. Sudarshan Reddy is alleged that his judicial vision weakened the Chhattisgarh government’s fight against Naxalism.
Let us remind you that in 2011, the then Justice of the Supreme Court B.C. Sudarshan Reddy’s bench ruled on Salwa Judum. In this decision, the process of giving weapons to tribal youth by making ‘special police officers’ and involving them in anti -Maoist operations was declared unconstitutional and illegal. The argument behind the decision was that the state cannot retaliate violence through violence and poor tribals cannot be made a pawn of struggle. This seems correct from a human point of view, but at a practical level it weakened the state’s campaign against Naxalism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleges that if Salwa Judum was not stopped, Naxalism would have been destroyed by 2020. The question arises here whether Justice Reddy gave priority to constitutional ideals on security needs? And did this vision of his vision be cut off from the ground reality to the Naxalites indirectly benefited? Critics believe that this decision gave the Naxalites time to reorganize and tied the hands of the security forces.
In contrast, the recent step of Maharashtra Governor and now Vice Presidential NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan is being seen towards empowering the anti-Naxalism struggle. He has sent the Maharashtra Special Public Safety Bill 2024 to the President. The bill attempts to curb leftist militant organizations active in urban areas. Although the opposition and civil organizations have described it as a tool of disagreement, the fact is that the urban Naxalite network, ideology and logistics support gives manure and water to the ground violence. CP Radhakrishnan sent this bill for the idea of the President by not implementing it directly. It is also a respect for the constitutional process and a sign of the seriousness of the state against Naxalism. This step shows that he wants to rise above political pressure and strengthen the anti -Naxalism policy by staying within the constitutional realm.
If seen, the struggle against Naxalism in India is not limited to military or police action; It is also affected by the vision and decisions of the judiciary, legislature and constitutional officials. Where on one hand Justice B.K. Sudarshan Reddy’s decision proved to be helpful for Naxalites at a practical level, while CP Radhakrishnan’s move gives political and constitutional strength to anti-Naxalism efforts. These two examples teach us that the biggest criterion is to balance the constitutional ideal and safety needs in dealing with the national challenge like Naxalism.
However, the platform has been prepared for a direct contest between CP Radhakrishnan and opposition candidate B Sudarshan Reddy on behalf of the ruling National Democratic Alliance for the Vice Presidential election. The election for the post of Vice President will be held on September 9. The office of ‘Returning Officer’ for the election has said that after examining the nomination papers filed for the Vice Presidential election, all four sets of nomination papers of both the candidates were found to be correct. Let us tell you that the General Secretary of Rajya Sabha is ‘Returning Officer’ for the Vice Presidential election. According to Article 66 of the Constitution, the Vice President is elected by members of the electoral college formed by members of both houses of Parliament.