RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday called on Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region to lay down their arms and join the mainstream, assuring them of full protection and integration into the nation's development.
Addressing a gathering of over 50,000 tribal people at the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum, a cultural festival, Shah emphasised the government's commitment to peace, prosperity, and the preservation of tribal culture. He reiterated the government's resolve to eliminate Left-wing extremism from Bastar by the next Chaitra Navratri.
"No one rejoices at the death of a Naxalite," Shah stated. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to give Bastar everything—education, healthcare, employment, and respect for tribal identity. But none of this is possible without peace."
He appealed to Maoists to surrender voluntarily, promising government protection. "With weapons, you cannot stop the development of tribals. Come back to the mainstream—surrender, and become a part of Bastar’s progress," Shah said.
Shah lauded the Chhattisgarh government’s recent decision to grant Rs 1 crore to villages that declare themselves Maoist-free and facilitate Maoist surrenders. He urged local communities to hold meetings, engage with those still involved in extremism, and persuade them to return.
"Security forces will continue to take the lead against armed elements, but those who surrender will be welcomed with dignity," he affirmed, noting that in the past three months, 521 Maoists have surrendered, with 881 surrenders recorded in 2024 so far.
Highlighting the transformation in Bastar, Shah said, “There was a time when people feared entering Bastar. Today, I stand here among 50,000 people. Villages once deserted by violence now resonate with school bells. Children are learning computers and connecting with the world.”
He emphasised that true development in Bastar would mean seeing someone from Sukma become a sub-inspector or someone from Dantewada become a collector. "This is real change, and it's possible when Maoism ends," he asserted.
Paying homage to the late Bastar king Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo, Shah alleged that the Congress party had conspired in his killing. "He was Praja Vatsal (people-loving). Today, Bastar is rising, and Bhanjdeo’s soul must be watching and blessing us."
Shah also acknowledged Babu Jagjivan Ram and praised Prime Minister Modi’s "Vocal for Local" initiative, stressing Bastar’s art, food, and music as national treasures. "The GI tag for tribal products will ensure a global market for Bastar's arts," he said.
He announced that next year’s Bastar Pandum would be organised on a national scale with 12 categories instead of the current seven, and tribal artists from across India would participate. "We will even bring ambassadors from different countries to witness Bastar’s heritage and make Bastar Pandum international. The ambassadors will be taken to every district of Bastar," he added.
Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to preserving tribal culture while promoting modern education and employment.
Shah concluded with a powerful message to Bastar’s tribal population: “You don’t need to fear anyone. The BJP government will ensure your complete security. Our goal is to develop the poor, empower tribals, and make Bastar free from Maoism.”
Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed confidence that Bastar’s glorious days would soon return, attributing it to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's ongoing efforts.
The 45-day-long Bastar Pandum, showcasing the region's rich tribal culture, traditions, cuisine, and heritage, concluded on a high note. Around 27,000 tribals from states including Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka participated in the cultural extravaganza. More than 1,800 panchayats from Bastar participated in the festival, reflecting the people's strong desire for development and freedom from Naxalite influence.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Minister for Primitive Tribes and ST Development, Ram Vichar Netam, also addressed the closing ceremony. Sharma acknowledged that some villages in Bastar still lack basic amenities and declared, “We are committed to ensuring that every village in Bastar has access to all essential facilities by next year. Bastar will emerge as a centre of global attraction,” he asserted.
Addressing a gathering of over 50,000 tribal people at the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum, a cultural festival, Shah emphasised the government's commitment to peace, prosperity, and the preservation of tribal culture. He reiterated the government's resolve to eliminate Left-wing extremism from Bastar by the next Chaitra Navratri.
"No one rejoices at the death of a Naxalite," Shah stated. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to give Bastar everything—education, healthcare, employment, and respect for tribal identity. But none of this is possible without peace."
He appealed to Maoists to surrender voluntarily, promising government protection. "With weapons, you cannot stop the development of tribals. Come back to the mainstream—surrender, and become a part of Bastar’s progress," Shah said.
Shah lauded the Chhattisgarh government’s recent decision to grant Rs 1 crore to villages that declare themselves Maoist-free and facilitate Maoist surrenders. He urged local communities to hold meetings, engage with those still involved in extremism, and persuade them to return.
"Security forces will continue to take the lead against armed elements, but those who surrender will be welcomed with dignity," he affirmed, noting that in the past three months, 521 Maoists have surrendered, with 881 surrenders recorded in 2024 so far.
Highlighting the transformation in Bastar, Shah said, “There was a time when people feared entering Bastar. Today, I stand here among 50,000 people. Villages once deserted by violence now resonate with school bells. Children are learning computers and connecting with the world.”
He emphasised that true development in Bastar would mean seeing someone from Sukma become a sub-inspector or someone from Dantewada become a collector. "This is real change, and it's possible when Maoism ends," he asserted.
Paying homage to the late Bastar king Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo, Shah alleged that the Congress party had conspired in his killing. "He was Praja Vatsal (people-loving). Today, Bastar is rising, and Bhanjdeo’s soul must be watching and blessing us."
Shah also acknowledged Babu Jagjivan Ram and praised Prime Minister Modi’s "Vocal for Local" initiative, stressing Bastar’s art, food, and music as national treasures. "The GI tag for tribal products will ensure a global market for Bastar's arts," he said.
He announced that next year’s Bastar Pandum would be organised on a national scale with 12 categories instead of the current seven, and tribal artists from across India would participate. "We will even bring ambassadors from different countries to witness Bastar’s heritage and make Bastar Pandum international. The ambassadors will be taken to every district of Bastar," he added.
Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to preserving tribal culture while promoting modern education and employment.
Shah concluded with a powerful message to Bastar’s tribal population: “You don’t need to fear anyone. The BJP government will ensure your complete security. Our goal is to develop the poor, empower tribals, and make Bastar free from Maoism.”
Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed confidence that Bastar’s glorious days would soon return, attributing it to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's ongoing efforts.
The 45-day-long Bastar Pandum, showcasing the region's rich tribal culture, traditions, cuisine, and heritage, concluded on a high note. Around 27,000 tribals from states including Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka participated in the cultural extravaganza. More than 1,800 panchayats from Bastar participated in the festival, reflecting the people's strong desire for development and freedom from Naxalite influence.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Minister for Primitive Tribes and ST Development, Ram Vichar Netam, also addressed the closing ceremony. Sharma acknowledged that some villages in Bastar still lack basic amenities and declared, “We are committed to ensuring that every village in Bastar has access to all essential facilities by next year. Bastar will emerge as a centre of global attraction,” he asserted.
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