Editorial 1: Armed insurrection to parliamentary politics

Context

Integrating insurgent groups into democratic politics can strengthen the legitimacy of democracy itself.

Introduction

The recent electoral success of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power in the parliamentary and presidential elections in Sri Lanka highlights a less noticeable trend, where left-wing revolutionary groups, once dedicated to armed struggle, are shifting toward democratic engagement. Historically guided by ideologies such as Marxism-Leninism and Maoism, these groups have viewed the state as a tool of capitalist oppression, believing that social and economic justice demands dismantling capitalist structures by force.

• Insurgencies transitioning to parliamentary politics: In recent decades, however, some of the most prominent insurgencies, including Nepal’s Maoists, El Salvador’sFarabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), and certain Marxist-Leninist groups within India, have pursued a new path by entering parliamentary politics.
  • This shift reflects a pragmatic blend of ideological adaptation and responsiveness to changing political realities.
• Origins and ideology of left-wing insurgencies: Left-wing insurgencies typically emerge with the belief that dismantling the capitalist state is necessary for social justice, viewing it as inherently biased toward elite interests, and armed struggle becomes a key tenet of resistance.
  • This conviction is often grounded in the belief that only through force can the structures of oppression be overturned.
  • Many movements, such as those in El Salvador, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, have adhered to the principle of “protracted people’s war” to achieve a revolutionary overthrow of the state.
• Challenges of prolonged insurgency: Yet, prolonged insurgency is daunting, requiring extensive resources, popular support, and the resilience to withstand state counterinsurgency tactics.
  • Over time, these factors push revolutionary groups to reconsider armed struggle as the optimal strategy.
  • The harsh realities of insurgency often reveal that public sentiment may shift against sustained violence, particularly when civilian casualties and prolonged hardship weaken popular support.
• Shift to political engagement: This realisation has spurred some factions to experiment with political engagement to achieve their goals without violence and potentially greater public acceptance.

A striking example in Nepal

• Origin and objective: The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) launched a civil war in 1996 to dismantle the monarchy and establish a people’s republic.
• Negotiation and Peace Accord: After a decade of intense conflict, the Maoists chose to negotiate and signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006.
  • This agreement allowed them to participate in mainstream politics and governance.
• Transition to democracy: By 2008, the Maoists played a pivotal role in transitioning Nepal to a federal democratic republic.
  • This was a landmark achievement for a movement once defined by its commitment to revolutionary overthrow.
• Significance: Their participation in mainstream politics demonstrated how revolutionary ideals could be adapted to operate within established political institutions.

El Salvador’s Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN)

• Civil war and objective: The FMLN, a coalition of Marxist-Leninist guerrilla groups, fought a civil war throughout the 1980s, aiming to overthrow a U.S.-backed government.
• Peace Accords and political shift: The 1992 peace accords enabled the FMLN to transition from an insurgent group to a legitimate political party.
  • The FMLN eventually won national elections, channeling their social and economic agendas through democratic processes.
• Evolution of ideology: Over time, the party shifted from revolutionary Marxism to a more moderate leftist stance, aligning itself with democratic socialism.

What drives the shift

India’s Diverse Maoist Landscape

• Armed insurgency: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) continues to pursue armed insurgency, especially in rural areas with weak government presence.
  • They adhere to Mao’s concept of a “protracted people’s war.”
• Shift to democratic participation: Other factions, such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, have abandoned armed struggle.
  • By the 1980s, the CPI (M-L) Liberation transitioned to contesting elections and became a political entity.

Sri Lanka’s Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)

• Early insurgency and uprisings: Initially a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist party, the JVP led two uprisings in 1971 and the 1980s, employing ingenious violent strategies to seize power.
  • The brutal suppression of these insurrections forced the group to reassess its approach.
• Transition to parliamentary politics: Since the 1990s, the JVP embraced parliamentary politics, advocating for economic reform, social justice, and workers’ rights within a democratic framework.
• This transition allowed them to pursue their goals without the costs and sacrifices of warfare.

Factors Driving the Shift from Armed Struggle to Electoral Politics

• Strategic realism: Protracted insurgencies are resource-intensive and unsustainable.
  • In Nepal and El Salvador, negotiated peace accords allowed political influence without continued violence.
• Shifting public sentiment: Persistent violence often alienates civilian populations, weakening insurgent groups’ support base.
• International pressure: International actors, such as the United Nations, have mediated peace agreements.
  • The global context condemns violent insurgencies, encouraging groups to pursue peaceful engagement.
  • Example: The UN played a crucial role in brokering peace in El Salvador, facilitating the FMLN’s transition.

Ideological Evolution of Insurgent Groups

• Adapting revolutionary doctrines:: Insurgent groups adapt rigid ideologies to fit democratic frameworks as prolonged conflict necessitates reassessment.
  • Example: The JVP shifted from its Marxist-Leninist-Maoist roots to advocating social justice within a democratic system, reaching a broader base.
• Balancing ideals and pragmatism: The JVP softened its revolutionary rhetoric to appeal to a wider electorate while maintaining its commitment to social and economic justice.

Paradox of Transition

• Democracy as a tool for change: Revolutionary groups once dismissed democratic systems as capitalist instruments but now use them to drive change.
  • While this shift is seen as a dilution of revolutionary ideals, it reflects pragmatic recognition of the limitations of violent revolution.
• Expanding representation: By entering mainstream politics, insurgent groups amplify marginalised voices.
  • Example: Nepal’s Maoists prioritised rural and marginalised communities, fostering more inclusive governance.

The responses

• Operating within established political frameworks gives former insurgent groups legitimacy and greater capacity to address the social injustices that motivated their struggle.
• Yet, whether this shift leads to genuine reform or co-option by existing systems remains uncertain.
• These groups often face public scepticism about their commitment to democratic norms, as citizens may remember their violent past.
• To succeed, they must build credibility and balance their ideals with the practical demands of governance.
• This raises questions about whether ideology drives their actions or merely serves as a tool for power.
• Often, their transition reflects political realities rather than an abandonment of ideology.

Impact on Democracy

• Integrating insurgent groups into democratic politics can strengthen the legitimacy of democracy.
• These groups often bring with them large support bases, and their inclusion can reinforce trust in the democratic process, fostering a more participatory and resilient political system — especially when these groups commit to democratic principles and contribute to the development of inclusive governance structures.

Adaptation vs. Ideological Compromise

• While some may view this adaptation as an ideological compromise, it could also be seen as an evolution.
• Left-wing insurgencies adapting to parliamentary politics could be rationalised as a new phase of ideological struggle, reinterpreting revolution in a modern democratic context.
• In this view, parliamentary engagement is not an anathema but rather an adjustment to contemporary realities where the state can be reformed from within.

Conclusion

This transition from armed insurrection to political participation is reshaping the narrative of contemporary insurgencies. It reveals that radical movements can evolve within democratic frameworks. It also rekindles confidence in certain forms of democratic socialism, offering paths that address the systemic issues of capitalism.

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Editorial 2: Census 2025 as a comprehensive citizen registry

Context

A key objective is to establish the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC), for which grasping the full implications of this initiative is essential.

Introduction

The 2025 Census includes an exercise to update the National Population Register (NPR), which is the first step for the establishment of the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC). Grasping the full scope and implications of this initiative is essential.

• NRIC mandate: Draws its mandate from the Citizenship Act 1955
• Initial conceptualisation: Initially conceptualised after the 1951 Census
• Renewed significance: Gained renewed significance following recommendations by the Subrahmanyam Committee.
  • In the aftermath of the Kargil war (1999)
  • Highlighted the need for a robust database that includes both citizens and non-citizens.
• Legislative action: Led to the addition of Section 14A to the Act
  • Mandating the compulsory registration of all Indian citizens
  • Authorising the issuance of identity cards to officially document their citizenship status
• Pilot projects: Several pilot projects such as:
  • Multi-Purpose National Identity Card (MNIC)
  • Fishermen identity card
  • Have since been implemented with varying degrees of success

As a verified registry with more benefits

NRIC Objectives

• The NRIC aims primarily to enhance national security by maintaining a verified citizen registry
• Also offers additional benefits, such as:
  • Streamlining identity verification
  • Reducing identity fraud and duplication
  • Enabling targeted welfare programmes that ensure benefits reach only eligible recipients

NPR’s Role

• The NPR serves as the initial step in achieving these objectives by differentiating citizens from non-citizensthrough a multi-phase process that collects demographic and biometric data on all usual residents

Multi-Phase Process

• Database creation: A comprehensive database is created by compiling demographic data during houselisting operations in the Census
• Biometric data collection: Biometric data is collected to eliminate duplicate records
• Public claims and objections: Public claims and objections are then invited to ensure transparency
• Verification and appeals process: A verification and appeals process allowing residents to challenge records, thereby enhancing accuracy and authenticity
• Inquiries into citizenship status: Detailed inquiries into citizenship status are conducted to finalize the National Register of Citizens (NRIC)
• Issuance of identity cards: The process culminates in the issuance of identity cards as mandated by the Citizenship Act
• 2011 Census: In the 2011 Census, details about individuals, including name, gender, date of birth, marital status, place of birth, nationality, family relationships, residency, and socio-economic indicators were collected.
• 2025 Census: The 2025 Census is anticipated to follow a similar pattern
  • Biometric data collection, however, will probably be excluded, as this information is already available in the Aadhaar database.

Aadhaar versus NRIC

• Aadhaar vs. NRIC: A question often raised in this connection is the need for this exercise when the Aadhaar already exists.
  • It is essential to note that the Aadhaar and the NRIC serve distinct purposes.
• Aadhaar: Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India, regardless of citizenship.
  • It primarily serves as a biometric-based identity verification tool, linking residents to services such as: Banking, Subsidies, Digital identity.
• NRIC: The NRIC aims to establish a comprehensive citizen registry.
  • While Aadhaar is focused on identity verification and can be held by any resident, the NRIC is a citizenship verification system, mandating proof of citizenship.
• Key differences: Aadhaar is broadly inclusive for all residents, whereas the NRIC serves as a definitive record for citizens.
• Complementary roles: They play complementary but distinct roles in India’s governance and security infrastructure.

The Assam exercise and privacy concerns

Assam’s NRC Update

• Assam is the only state where the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been updated (2019)
• Intended to identify illegal immigrants, particularly from Bangladesh
• The process raised concerns over its accuracy and fairness due to:
  • Stringent documentation requirements
  • Many rural and less-educated residents unable to meet the criteria

Differences from National NRIC

• Unlike the proposed national NRIC, Assam’s NRC was guided by the Assam Accord, which imposed unique conditions
• Assam’s experience highlights significant humanitarian and administrative challenges in implementing a nationwide NRIC

Concerns and Challenges

• Data privacy: Concerns about the misuse of demographic and biometric information persist
  • Despite Supreme Court guidelines in the Aadhaar case
• Need for robust data protection: The importance of strong data protection remains critical
• Exclusion Fears: Fears of exclusion for communities with limited documentation
• Logistical and administrative challenges: Verifying citizenship on such a large scale presents significant challenges
  • Highlights the need for streamlined procedures and targeted public awareness campaigns

Conclusion

The NRIC initiative calls for citizens to stay vigilant and actively engaged throughout the process. Given the scale of this effort, transparency and fairness depend on citizens being well-informed, proactive, and diligent in verifying their records. By understanding their rights, providing accurate information, and voicing concerns, citizens can help ensure that the NRIC is inclusive, equitable, and effective.