The controversial Salwa Judum movement has now been incorporated in the Chhattisgarh school curriculum with a chapter on 'Necessity of social security from problem of Naxalism' being included in the social science text book of class X of the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education. Describing the movement as a 'peace march', the two page chapter throws light on the anti-Naxal movement of Bastar and its objectives, causes for the spread of Naxalism, initiatives being taken by the Government to deal with the situation and the possible steps required to find a permanent solution to the problem.
'Naxalism is an ideology that aims at capturing political power. The most sensitive situation is prevailing in Bastar area as the Naxalites feel safe there because of the inaccessible terrain, located very far away from the state capital. The region remains backward and anyone could easily influence the gullible and peace-loving locals,' the chapter points out. It goes on to say that the Naxal presence in Bastar can be primarily attributed to the slow pace of development, the language problem and the forest terrain that prevents security forces from carrying out an aerial attack and facilitates the military and guerilla training of the Naxal recruits.
