Bastar (Chhattisgarh) [India], November 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi at present visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, which served because the coaching base and launch pad for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad, to rejoice Diwali with the safety forces.
 Addressing the jawans on the event as crores of Indians throughout the nation and the world rejoice the sacred pageant of lights with their family members, the Prime Minister recalled his memorable Diwali celebrations with courageous troopers from Kargil and Lepcha within the Himalayas to Sir Creek on the coast and aboard INS Vikrant within the ocean. “At the borders and within the country, the sentinels of the nation who protect the country, the brave sons of Maa Bharati, all of you are my loved ones, all of you are a part of my family,” remarked PM Modi.
Describing the 2026 Diwali as actually particular as a result of it marks the primary pageant of lights after India gained its decades-old battle in opposition to Maoist terror, rendered each district Naxal-free, and enabled crores of residents to beat worry, the Prime Minister defined that he had come to Bastar to rejoice this extraordinary milestone with the lakhs of safety personnel who made it attainable and to convey the gratitude of 140 crore residents. “Today I have come to express gratitude towards your sacrifice, dedication, and spirit of service,” affirmed PM Modi.
Quoting the traditional Sanskrit knowledge ‘Aabhyantaram Bhayam Rakshyam, Asaaram Baahyato Bhayam’ to elucidate that exterior enemies can’t hurt a nation whose inside safety is robust however elevate their heads when inside safety weakens, the Prime Minister equated the interior function of safety forces with that of the armed forces on the borders and lauded the boundless sacrifices of personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, IRB, state police forces, Bastar Fighters commandos, and girls fighters, whereas additionally extending festive greetings to troopers guarding the nation’s frontiers. “This country is indebted to you for your services, and crores of countrymen are proud of you,” affirmed PM Modi.
Recalling the grim period when Left-Wing Extremism gripped over 230 districts throughout practically 20 states together with Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the place night curfews of worry prevailed, voting rights have been snatched, as much as 2,000 annual assaults occurred, over 1,000 personnel laid down their lives in Chhattisgarh alone, numerous troopers misplaced limbs to IED blasts, and 76 CRPF personnel and 44 harmless civilians have been killed in separate 2010 Dantewada assaults, the Prime Minister identified that between 2004 and 2013 extra safety personnel have been martyred yearly than Naxals killed, emboldening Maoist leaders.
Emphasising that no nation can progress with a passive strategy towards its enemies and should as a substitute crush them strategically with excessive morale, the Prime Minister acknowledged that after 2014, the decades-old development of upper casualties amongst safety forces was reversed, leading to a historic milestone the place not a single CRPF soldier misplaced their life on responsibility over the previous yr for the primary time in 47 years. “This is the victory of the country’s right policies and firm willpower, and this is the victory of your valour, courage, and restraint,” asserted PM Modi.
Stating that success requires each the proper intention and the proper insurance policies, the Prime Minister famous that the federal government took a sequence of robust, together with a number of unpublicized, nationwide safety choices that struck at Naxal and separatist funding and destroyed the faux foreign money nexus. “Not only did this break their economic backbone, but the entire supply line was also choked, stopping the supply of weapons and curbing the movement and recruitment of Naxals,” famous PM Modi.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that his authorities granted full operational freedom to safety forces to take each mandatory resolution. Explaining that the federal government labored tirelessly with out publicity or ostentation towards the singular objective of guaranteeing no mom loses her youngster, no household is ruined, and no youth takes up arms, he highlighted how combining delicate safety operations that broke the again of Maoist terror with a spirit of public service reworked lives and rallied affected residents behind the federal government and safety forces, together with native residents current on the occasion whom he thanked for his or her important cooperation. “With a spirit of service, we transformed the lives of people in Naxal-affected areas,” remarked PM Modi.
Observing that working with the spirit of Nation First ensures peace and safety, propels the nation to new developmental heights, and expands the participation of the poor and disadvantaged in nationwide progress, the Prime Minister identified the twin triumph achieved by the nation over the previous dozen years. “In the past 12 years, the country has not only won the battle against Naxalism and separatism, but rather the country has also won a major war against poverty,” asserted PM Modi.
Highlighting the extensively mentioned World Bank report launched simply forward of Deepavali, the Prime Minister famous that fifty crore Indians have escaped excessive poverty over the previous 12 years.Â
Comparing India’s welfare structure over the previous 12 years to a Diwali Rangoli the place small, distinct strains come collectively to type a grand image, the Prime Minister detailed how Jan Dhan banking, PM Awas pucca houses, collateral-free Mudra loans, SVANidhi help for avenue distributors, Ayushman Bharat healthcare, free month-to-month rations, youngster training insurance policies, Swachh Bharat, and Har Ghar Jal collectively ensured free medication, free training, and a free kitchen whereas eradicating fundamental anxieties so households as soon as trapped in generational poverty now inherit a stronger future. “The poor families whose entire lives used to be spent only in worry have now received the assurance of the government, and a new self-confidence has come into them,” famous PM Modi.
Pointing out that this victory over poverty is deeply linked to the struggle in opposition to Naxalism, which beforehand trapped lakhs of harmless residents in deprivation by blocking colleges, hospitals, medical shops, polio vaccinations, cellular towers, and industries whereas bombing railway tracks, the Prime Minister detailed the particular improvement drive in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas that constructed over 15,000 kilometers of roads, over 9,500 cellular towers, practically 175 Eklavya colleges, round 50 ITIs, 50 Skill Development Centres, and 1000’s of put up places of work, financial institution branches, and ATMs, alongside rehabilitating surrendered Naxals and bringing water, electrical energy, and roads to distant tribal villages for the primary time below PM JANMAN. “When we started the fight against Naxalism, at the same time we also ran special campaigns for the development of Naxal-affected areas,” famous PM Modi.
Stating that the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ marketing campaign energised the struggle in opposition to poverty and introduced an finish to Naxal violence alongside lifting 50 crore individuals out of maximum poverty, the Prime Minister cited the continued Bastar Olympics as an emblem of transformation within the area. “Today in this very Bastar, the Bastar Olympics are taking place, and children are trying their hand at sports, not guns,” remarked PM Modi.
Emphasising that at present’s milestones are a launchpad reasonably than a stopping level, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the nation’s new flight will fulfil the centuries-old goals of freedom fighters, border troopers, and personnel who laid down their lives combating Naxalism and terrorism, urging the forces who dwell by the motto ‘Tera Gaurav Amar Rahe Maa, Hum Din Chaar Rahein Na Rahein’ to channel their spirit into new confidence. “Now is the time to live for the nation and to take the nation to a new height,” affirmed PM Modi.
Citing the nation’s confirmed monitor report of fulfilling main pledges resembling abrogating Article 370 in Kashmir, constructing family bogs, and increasing vaccination protection, the Prime Minister expressed full confidence within the safety forces and residents that India will equally obtain its targets of eradicating poverty and constructing a Drug-Free, Atmanirbhar, and Viksit Bharat, urging everybody to work towards witnessing these goals grow to be a actuality earlier than concluding with Deepavali greetings. “Your sacrifices and hard work will become a strong foundation for the grand edifice of a Viksit Bharat,” affirmed PM Modi.
Addressing safety personnel throughout his Diwali celebrations in Bastar, the Prime Minister mentioned that though armed Naxalites had been eradicated from forests, these he described as ‘Dimagi Naxals’ continued to pose a problem to the nation.
‘We should keep in mind one factor. Naxalites have been eradicated, however the menace just isn’t but over. While armed Naxalites have been worn out from the forests, ‘Dimagi Naxals’ have taken management of a number of organisations. Even at present, they’re inciting individuals in opposition to the nation’s Constitution and democracy. These ‘Dimagi Naxals’ have additionally infiltrated a number of political events and completely different organisations. We should establish them, defeat them and make sure the safety of the nation,’ PM Modi mentioned.
However, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his ‘Dimagi Naxals’ remarks, accusing him of utilizing the event of Diwali to focus on political rivals and alleging that his feedback mirrored a sample of branding those that disagreed together with his authorities.
In a put up on X, Ramesh mentioned the Prime Minister had not spared the nation even on Diwali and objected to his remarks throughout his go to to Bastar, the place he referred to ‘Dimagi Naxals’.
‘The Prime Minister has not spared the nation even on Diwali day his trademark abuse. He has as soon as once more spoken of what he calls dimagi naxals. He has used a really solemn non-political event, donned the uniform of the safety forces, and hurled invectives at his political rivals. This is a brazen assault on all institutional norms, however when has that ever stopped this man?’ Ramesh mentioned.Â
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned that each Diwali, the Prime Minister visits troopers who stay deployed away from their houses to safeguard the nation.
Describing the event as a tribute to safety personnel, the Home Minister credited the achievement of releasing the nation from Naxalism to the braveness, valour and dedication of troopers.
‘Today, Modi ji is celebrating Diwali with troopers in these very forests of Bastar the place Naxal terror as soon as reigned. This is the primary Diwali in 5 many years when the nation has been free of the scourge of Naxalism, and this victory belongs to the braveness, valour and dedication of our troopers,” he mentioned.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai mentioned that the Prime Minister’s interplay with jawans deployed within the area would increase their morale and honour their contribution in the direction of eliminating Naxalism and restoring peace in Bastar.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for celebrating Diwali with safety personnel, Sai mentioned, ‘PM Narendra Modi visited Bastar at present on the event of Diwali and celebrated with jawans. This is a matter of satisfaction for Bastar. Bastar was as soon as Naxal-affected. With the blessings of the PM, Naxalism has been eradicated from there. With the nice valour of the jawans there, there may be peace and improvement there. PM’s arrival among the many jawans there and celebrating with them is an honour to their valour. This boosts their morale. On behalf of the individuals of Chhattisgarh, I thank the Prime Minister. We will take Bastar forward on the trail to improvement.’ (ANI)