The perils of glorifying Madvi Hidma: A terrorist's legacy of bloodshed and betrayal

In the wake of Madvi Hidma's death in an encounter with security forces on November 18, 2025, a disturbing trend has emerged: pockets of society attempting to lionize this notorious Maoist commander as a "revolutionary" or "Adivasi hero." Such glorification is not only misguided but dangerous, as it whitewashes the brutal reality of a man whose actions inflicted immense suffering on India. Hidma, the so-called "Ghost of Bastar," was no freedom fighter; he was a ruthless insurgent responsible for over 26 deadly attacks that claimed hundreds of lives, eroded national security and perpetuated cycles of poverty and fear in Chhattisgarh's tribal heartlands. Let’s examine why Hidma should never be glorified, the profound ways he harmed India and why those who venerate him must be unequivocally denounced.

Hidma's Reign of Terror: A Catalog of Atrocities Against India

Madvi Hidma, born in the remote village of Puvarti in Chhattisgarh's Sukma-Bijapur border, joined the Maoist ranks as a child recruit around the age of thirteen. Rising to command the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1 of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), he became one of the most wanted Naxal leaders, with a bounty of ₹1 crore on his head. Far from being a defender of the oppressed, Hidma orchestrated ambushes and massacres that targeted Indian security forces, civilians and the very fabric of democratic governance.

Among his most infamous acts was the 2010 Tadmetla ambush in Dantewada, where 76 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were slaughtered in a meticulously planned attack. This massacre not only decimated families but also highlighted Hidma's cold-blooded strategy of exploiting dense forests for guerrilla warfare. In 2017, he masterminded twin attacks in Sukma, killing 37 security personnel and further destabilizing the region. The 2021 Tarrem (Bijapur) ambush claimed 22 lives, including brave jawans fighting to protect vulnerable communities from Maoist extortion and violence. These are not isolated incidents; Hidma's fingerprints were on dozens of operations that involved IED blasts, sniper fire and brutal executions, resulting in hundreds of deaths over two decades.

Beyond the body count, Hidma's actions hurt India by undermining development in Bastar, a resource-rich but impoverished area. Maoists under his command routinely sabotaged infrastructure projects, schools, and healthcare facilities, claiming they were tools of "state oppression." This has trapped Adivasi communities in a vicious cycle of underdevelopment, where children are denied education and families live in fear of forced recruitment or reprisals. By attacking symbols of progress, Hidma didn't liberate the tribals, he condemned them to isolation and poverty, all while the Maoist leadership profited from illegal mining and extortion rackets. His "struggle" was, in essence, a war against India's sovereignty, fuelled by an outdated ideology that has claimed over 10,000 lives nationwide since the Naxal movement's inception.

The Dangers of Glorification: Romanticizing Violence in a Fragile Democracy

Despite this trail of destruction, some activists, intellectuals, and even protesters have sought to glorify Hidma. Just days after his death, slogans like "Madvi Hidma Amar Rahe" (Long Live Madvi Hidma) echoed at a Delhi protest against air pollution, bizarrely conflating environmental issues with insurgent sympathy. Others have questioned the authenticity of his encounter, alleging it was "fake" or orchestrated due to internal Maoist rifts, thereby casting him as a victim rather than a perpetrator. This narrative portrays Hidma as an Adivasi icon fighting systemic injustice, ignoring the fact that his victims included fellow tribals who opposed Maoist dictates.

Glorifying Hidma is perilous for several reasons. First, it legitimizes terrorism by reframing cold-blooded killers as martyrs, potentially inspiring impressionable youth to join insurgent groups. In a country grappling with multiple security threats, from Kashmir to the Northeast, such romanticism weakens the resolve of security forces and emboldens extremists. Second, it disrespects the sacrifices of thousands of jawans who have laid down their lives to protect India's unity. Families of the 76 killed in Tadmetla or the 22 in Bijapur deserve justice, not to see their loved ones' murderers hailed as heroes. Third, it perpetuates division in society, pitting urban elites, who often view Maoism through a theoretical lens—against the ground realities faced by rural communities terrorized by Naxals.

Why Glorifiers Must Be Denounced: Safeguarding National Integrity

Those who glorify Hidma, whether through social media posts, protests, or opinion pieces, should be publicly denounced, not for stifling free speech, but for endangering public order and national security. Freedom of expression does not extend to endorsing violence or terrorism; India's laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, rightly curb such propaganda. By denouncing these apologists, society sends a clear message: There is no place for sympathizing with those who wage war against the state.

Denunciation serves practical purposes too. It discourages the spread of misinformation, such as claims that Hidma's death was a "betrayal" by rival Maoists like Devji, which only muddies the waters and distracts from his crimes. It also supports ongoing efforts to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), which has seen a decline thanks to operations like the one that neutralized Hidma. With his elimination marking a turning point, evidenced by subsequent Naxal surrenders in South Bastar, India is closer to peace in affected regions. Glorifiers risk reversing these gains by humanizing a monster.

Madvi Hidma was no hero; he was a terrorist whose actions inflicted irreparable harm on India, from mass killings to stunted development. Glorifying him dishonors the dead and threatens the living. It's time for a unified stance: Denounce the glorifiers, remember the victims, and commit to a Maoist-free India where true development can flourish. Only then can Bastar's ghosts be laid to rest.