Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday declared that Naxalism has been completely eradicated from the country ahead of the March 31 deadline, attributing this success to the valour, courage, and supreme sacrifice of the security forces.
Addressing a press conference in Jagdalpur, Shah highlighted several key dates in the "Naxal-Free India Campaign." He noted that December 13, 2023, marked the beginning of the resolute campaign when the BJP government in Chhattisgarh took oath. Another significant date was August 24, 2024, when a meeting of directors general of police from all states resolved to make the country Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.
"The third date, which you all know - 31 March 2026 (deadline set by the Centre to eliminate Naxalism from the country). Due to the valour, courage, and supreme sacrifice of the security forces, Naxalism has been completely eradicated from the country ahead of the set deadline," Shah told reporters.
Shah acknowledged that many non-BJP state governments had cooperated with the Union government in eliminating Naxalism, but criticized the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh for not providing help. "It was after December 2023, when the BJP government was formed in Chhattisgarh that we could eliminate Naxalism in Bastar," he said.
The Home Minister countered arguments that Naxalism thrived due to lack of development. "Some intellectuals have been arguing for years that Naxalism flourished because development could not reach these areas. But the truth is exactly the opposite... Development could not reach these areas because Naxalism was there," he asserted.
He pointed out that many areas in the country were more backward than Naxal-affected regions but had no Naxalism, allowing them to progress. "Therefore, those areas gradually progressed on the path of development. On the other hand, our Bastar and other Naxal-affected areas remained deprived of development due to violence and fear," Shah added.
Shah concluded by stating that as of May 19, 2026, the areas once gripped by Naxalism will witness a new vision of comprehensive development taking shape.
