RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reiterated his appeal for Naxalites to surrender under the attractive surrender policy. However, he also warned that any attempt to disturb Bastar’s peace through violence would be met with a strong response from the armed forces, CRPF, and Chhattisgarh Police. He firmly stated that March 31, 2026, is the set date by which Naxalism will be completely eradicated from the country.
“Some people have spoken of holding talks with Naxals. I want to make it clear — both the Centre and the state government are committed to the development of Bastar and all affected areas. What is there to talk about? We have a lucrative rehabilitation policy for surrendered Maoists, come and give up arms. If Maoists continue to disturb the peace of Bastar with their weapons, then our security forces will give a befitting reply. The deadline to eliminate Naxalism from the land of this nation has been fixed to March 31, 2026,” Shah said.
Amit Shah was addressing people in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar from Lal Bagh Maidan in Jagdalpur. Shah earlier flagged off bus service ensuring connectivity of remote areas with headquarters and had attended traditional Muria Darbar of Bastar Dussehra.
Shah said that both the Central and Chhattisgarh governments are fully committed to the development of Bastar and other Naxal-affected areas, with attractive policies in place. Over the past 10 years, Prime Minister Modi has provided approximately Rs. 4.40 lakh crore for Chhattisgarh’s development. The state is progressing at an unprecedented pace, with industries being established, educational institutions being built, healthcare facilities expanding, and small-scale industries being promoted.
Union Home Minister Shah delivered a wide-ranging address at the Bastar Dussehra celebrations in Jagdalpur, lauding the region’s tribal heritage, highlighting development interventions and repeating his call for Maoist cadres to lay down arms and accept the government’s surrender-and-rehabilitation offer before deadline.
The home minister said that for years, “some people sitting in Delhi” spread the misinformation that Naxalism was born out of the fight for development. “The truth is that Bastar has remained deprived of development precisely because of Naxalism,” he pointed out.
He pointed out that while the rest of India now enjoys basic amenities — electricity, drinking water, pucca roads, toilets, health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh, and 5 kg free rice every month — Bastar lagged behind due to Naxal violence. “The Narendra Modi govt has given more than ₹4 lakh crore to Chhattisgarh for development in the past 10 years. On behalf of the PM, I assure you that after March 31, 2026, Naxals will no longer be able to obstruct your rights or stop development,” Shah said.
Shah promised that, once villages are declared Naxal-free, funds would be made available for local development — citing a figure of ₹1 crore per village as part of the push to accelerate growth.
Shah said that he also visited the historic Maa Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur and prayed for strength to the security forces to eliminate “red terror” from Bastar by the set deadline.
Shah also described the 75-day-long Bastar Dussehra — considered the world’s longest Dussehra celebration — more than a local fair and a festival of immense cultural significance, deeply tied to the tribal heritage of the region.
Shah, who spoke on a rain-soaked stage, said he had come to Bastar at the invitation of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, state home minister Vijay Sharma, and Bastar MP Mahesh Kashyap.
Union Home Minister praised the Chhattisgarh government for formulating the country’s most effective surrender policy, noting that over 500 individuals have surrendered in the past month alone. He urged Naxalites to surrender and announced that every village which will be completely free of Naxalism would receive Rs. 1 crore from the Chhattisgarh government for development. Shah emphasized that Naxalism has brought no benefits and has significantly reduced as a menace.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that this year, tribals from across the country will participate in the Bastar Olympics. He stated that Bastar’s Pandum festival, cuisine, attire, art, and musical instruments have become a center of attraction not only in Bastar but worldwide. He emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve is to preserve our culture, language, food, clothing, and musical instruments for centuries, not just for India but for the entire world. The Chhattisgarh government and the Government of India are fully committed to fulfilling this resolve.
Amit Shah highlighted that the Muria Darbar, with its active participation, judicial system, preservation of tribal culture, and tradition of public dialogue since 1874, is no less than a global heritage. He said that the Muria Darbar is a source of inspiration and knowledge for the entire country.
Referring to the Swadeshi Mela organized by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long emphasized the importance of Swadeshi (indigenous products). The Swadeshi Jagran Manch has been promoting Swadeshi as a mass movement for many years. Now, PM Modi has called upon every household to pledge to use only Indian-made products. He urged every trader to ensure that their shops or shopping malls do not stock foreign goods. Shah stated that if India’s 140 crore population embraces the Swadeshi pledge, no one can stop India from becoming the world’s top economic power.
Shah added that Prime Minister Modi has recently provided significant relief to mothers and sisters across the country, including Chhattisgarh, by granting substantial GST exemptions on 395 items. Almost all food and beverage items have been made tax-free, and daily-use items are taxed at only five percent. He said that such extensive tax reductions have never been seen before in the country. By adopting Swadeshi values, the nation’s economy will gain unprecedented momentum. Shah mentioned that over 300 Swadeshi companies are participating in the Bastar Dussehra Festival. He added that the Swadeshi Walkathon has become an effective medium to give a new identity to the Swadeshi spirit, and Swadeshi fairs organized nationwide are further accelerating this movement.
Amit Shah said that the 75-day Bastar Dussehra is a matter of pride, identity, and honor for all. He said that the chariot procession, which began in the 14th century, sparked cultural awakening in the region. Shah mentioned that Bastar Dussehra and Muria Darbar work to unite tribal communities and bind the entire Bastar region together.
Union Home Minister said that the Modi government has launched several schemes to honor tribals. For the first time, Prime Minister Modi elevated a daughter of the tribal community, Smt. Draupadi Murmu, to the highest office of the country as President, a matter of great pride. He said that when Her Excellency Draupadi Murmu meets world leaders, it fills not only the tribal community but all Indians with pride. The elevation of a daughter from a poor family in Odisha to the highest democratic office is a matter of pride for all. Shah added that PM Modi decided to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda as Tribal Pride Year, establishing his birth anniversary as Tribal Pride Day. Prime Minister Modi has also approved over 15,000 PM Awas houses for those who surrendered after leaving Naxalism and for the families of those killed in Naxal violence in the seven districts of Bastar division.
Amit Shah mentioned that Pundi Ram Mandavi and Hemchand Manjhi from Narayanpur district, and Ajay Kumar Mandavi from Kanker, have been honored with Padma Awards. On the occasion of the Bastar Dussehra Festival, the 20th installment of the ‘Mahtari Vandan Yojana’ was distributed, providing Rs. 607 crore to 70 lakh mothers in Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister Rural Bus Scheme was also launched, covering Bastar and Surguja divisions and including 250 villages.
Noting that heavy showers delayed the day’s programme, Shah praised the turnout: “Despite the rain thousands of my tribal brothers and sisters from Bastar and other backward communities are present here — for that I am grateful.”
The home minister recalled several symbolic steps taken by the Centre to honour tribal identity — including President Droupadi Murmu’s elevation to the country’s highest constitutional office and the declaration of “Adivasi Gaurav Varsh” to mark the 150th anniversary of Birsa Munda. He cited awards and recognition to local tribal leaders from Kanker and Narayanpur and said the govt had provided housing, gas, drinking water, toilets, free rice and insurance to tribal families.
Stressing that everyone should use products made in the home country (swadeshi), Shah linked it to the larger Swadeshi movement promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and welcomed recent tax relief measures for women and reductions in GST on many daily-use items. “If 140 crore people embrace the swadeshi spirit, nothing can stop India becoming an economic powerhouse,” he said.
He concluded by appealing to the people of Bastar to preserve their rich heritage and to join the promise of rapid, inclusive development.
