Maharashtra Minister Issues Stern Warning Over Pune Hostel Incident Involving Maoist Song
In a concerning development from Pune, Maharashtra Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal has raised alarms about the influence of urban naxals on young minds. This warning comes a day after students at a state social welfare department hostel in Pune were found dancing to a song that glorified slain Maoist commander Hidma.
Details of the Controversial Cultural Event
The incident occurred during a series of cultural events held over multiple days last week at the hostel. According to sources, while five of the participating students hailed from Gadchiroli district, one was from Chandrapur. All students involved are reported to be minors.
Minister Jaiswal, who serves as co-guardian minister for the tribal-dominated Gadchiroli district, expressed grave concern about the situation. "From what I have heard, these students had no idea about the song's background," Jaiswal stated, acknowledging the possibility that the participants were unaware of the context of their performance.
Police Response and Investigation
A senior official within Maharashtra's anti-Naxal apparatus revealed that police will be conducting counseling sessions with the students. The objective is to wean them away from Maoist influencers who, according to authorities, weaponize tribal culture for propaganda purposes.
"Police will be counselling the students, all minors, to wean them away from Maoist influencers who weaponise tribal culture for propaganda," confirmed the senior official. Sources indicate that the event organizers are also under police scrutiny following the incident.
The Persistent Threat of Urban Naxals
Despite Gadchiroli district being officially declared free from Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), Minister Jaiswal emphasized that certain destructive elements in society require continued vigilance. "Some destructive forces in society, what we call urban naxals, are trying to poison the minds of tribals," Jaiswal warned.
The minister elaborated on the perceived threat: "They are inciting them against the government, against the system, against the judiciary, and pushing them towards anarchy and the guerrilla movement. Action must be taken against such people."
Jaiswal, who shares administrative responsibility for Gadchiroli with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, appealed directly to tribal communities: "I appeal to my tribal brothers and sisters not to be misled by false narratives and not destroy their own lives."
Legal Framework and Government Action
The Maharashtra minister highlighted that the state government has already enacted legislation enabling crackdowns on urban naxal activities. "Now, they cannot use legal loopholes as there is a proper provision in law," Jaiswal asserted.
Regarding the specific Pune incident, the minister confirmed: "Our government will ensure its effective implementation. As far as the Pune incident is concerned, police have taken up the matter seriously and whoever is responsible will face action."
Background on Hidma: The Maoist Commander
The song that sparked this controversy eulogized Madvi Hidma, one of India's most wanted Maoist leaders before his death in November 2025. Hidma was shot during an encounter with Andhra Pradesh's elite Greyhounds force.
As a member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee, Hidma was responsible for numerous attacks on security forces spanning over two decades. His notable operations included:
- The 2010 Dantewada massacre that claimed the lives of 76 CRPF personnel
- The 2013 Darbha Valley attack that decimated nearly the entire Congress leadership in Chhattisgarh
- The 2017 Sukma ambush that resulted in the deaths of 37 paramilitary personnel
Security agencies had placed a cumulative reward of Rs 1 crore on Hidma's head, reflecting the severity of the threat he posed to national security.
This incident has reignited concerns about Maoist influence in educational institutions and the ongoing challenge of countering extremist ideologies that target vulnerable populations, particularly in tribal regions.
