India, April 1 -- March 31, 2026 - the date the Central government set in 2024 - is now in the past. India is not yet free from Naxalism. No doubt the Government has done an incredible job of containing Naxalism and bringing down civilian casualties and violence, but it is yet to be eradicated completely. The promise of a "Naxal-free India" is yet to be realised. In the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah declared that the country had effectively been freed from Naxalism. Yet, beyond the rhetoric, the reality is more complex. While a large number of Naxalites have laid down their arms and the infamous Red Corridor has been cleared of Naxals' sway over land and people, it is still present, albeit with a weak presence in pockets of central India, particul...