Amit Shah: Maoism harmed society; Bastar culture must lead

At the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum 2026 in Jagdalpur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Bastar's rich culture and heritage, saying its true identity lies in culture, not in explosives or violence. He stressed that the government is committed to preserving Bastar's cultural legacy for decades and aims to showcase Bastar’s culture to the country and the world. Baarood cannot be Bastar’s identity, he asserted; its culture and heritage must define the region going forward.

Shah declared that Maoism has never benefited any society and has spread destruction wherever it has taken root, citing examples from abroad such as Colombia, Peru, and Cambodia. He asserted that the Naxal menace would be uprooted completely from the nation by March 31 and urged the remaining active Maoist cadres to lay down arms. He also expressed concern that young tribal girls are among the active cadres and called for their rehabilitation, emphasizing that their lives lie ahead and should not be spent in violence.

Citing government data, Shah noted that 7,400 Maoists have been arrested since 2019 and that Left Wing Extremism violence is down by 88% since 2010. He assured that surrendered Maoists would not face harm, but warned that those who continue to fire weapons, plant IEDs, or torch schools and hospitals would not be spared. He highlighted a broader decline in fear in Bastar and urged further progress, including the reopening of many schools that had remained closed for 40 years. He asked his tribal brothers and sisters pointed questions, including, “Who did the Naxalites benefit by closing schools?”

The Home Minister’s remarks reflect a broader push to integrate Bastar’s cultural identity with national development while addressing security concerns, as the region seeks to move beyond decades of conflict toward a more secure and culturally recognized future.

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