‘First Diwali since Naxalism was defeated’: PM Modi celebrates with security forces in Bastar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated Diwali with security personnel at the CoBRA operations base in Karanpur, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, describing this year’s festival as special as the country marks what he called a historic victory in its decades-long fight against Naxalism and Maoist violence.

Addressing the personnel, PM Modi said every district in the country was now free from Naxalism and millions of citizens had overcome the fear associated with the insurgency. He credited the security forces for their courage, sacrifice and dedication in bringing peace to the region.

“This Diwali in 2026 is truly special! This is the first Diwali since the nation won its decades-long battle against Naxalism and Maoist terror. This is the first Diwali where every single district in the country is free from Naxalism. This is the first Diwali where crores of our citizens have overcome the fear of Naxalism,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he had chosen to celebrate the festival with security personnel because he considered those guarding the country’s borders and protecting citizens within the country members of his own family.

“Those who protect the nation, whether at the borders or within the country, those who are the guardians of the nation and the brave sons and daughters of Mother India, you are all members of my own family,” he said.

Recalling Bastar’s past, PM Modi said the region had once been a stronghold of Naxalism but was now witnessing a new phase of development due to the sacrifices of security personnel.

“This is a land where the menace of Naxalism once prevailed. However, owing to your sacrifice and dedication, the menace of Naxalism has now ended in this very region, and a new wave of development has begun,” he said.

The CoBRA base at Karanpur has served as a training centre and launchpad for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad, areas that were once considered major centres of Maoist insurgency.

‘Threat is not over yet’: PM warns against ‘Dimagi Naxals’

While declaring that armed Naxalites had been eliminated from the forests, PM Modi cautioned that the threat had not completely disappeared. He alleged that “Dimagi Naxals” had gained influence in several organisations and were trying to turn people against the Constitution and democracy.

“Naxalites have been eliminated, but the threat is not yet over. While armed Naxalites have been wiped out from the forests, ‘Dimagi Naxals’ have taken control of several organisations. Even today, they are inciting people against the country’s Constitution and democracy,” he said.

The Prime Minister alleged that such elements had also entered political parties and other organisations, and called on security personnel and citizens to identify and defeat them.

PM Modi also credited his government’s policies and political will since 2014 for the change in the security situation. He said earlier governments had restricted the freedom of security forces to respond to Naxal attacks, while his government had given them greater authority to take necessary decisions.

He said the government had also worked to cut off the financial and logistical support available to Maoist groups, including by dismantling fake currency networks and disrupting their supply of weapons.

PM recalls security personnel killed in Naxal attacks

Recalling the scale of violence in Chhattisgarh, PM Modi said Naxal attacks had once claimed the lives of hundreds of security personnel and civilians. He referred to the 2010 Dantewada incidents in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed in an encounter, and 44 civilians lost their lives in another attack.

He said more than 1,000 security personnel had been killed in Chhattisgarh alone during the decades-long conflict.

“The fight against Maoist terror and Naxalism was not an easy one. The Naxalites had even snatched away people's right to cast their votes. There were as many as 2,000 Naxal attacks in a single year,” he said.

PM Modi also compared figures from 2004 to 2013, claiming that the number of security personnel killed each year was higher than the number of Naxalites killed. He described the government's approach after 2014 as a shift towards stronger action against the insurgency.

The Prime Minister further said that, for the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF personnel had lost his life while on duty during the past year. He described this as a result of the government's policies and the courage and restraint shown by security forces.

PM Modi speaks of poverty reduction, Viksit Bharat goals

During his address, PM Modi also referred to the government's broader development goals, including a poverty-free, drug-free and self-reliant India.

He cited a World Bank report, saying that 50 crore people in India had moved out of extreme poverty over the past 12 years. He compared welfare schemes to a rangoli created during Diwali, saying they had helped improve the lives of poor families.

“Our country has the capability to fulfil every resolve it makes. Today, when we speak about eradicating poverty, when we speak about a Drug-Free India and a Nasha Mukt Bharat, when we speak about a Viksit Bharat and an Atmanirbhar Bharat, the country will certainly achieve these goals too,” he said.

He expressed faith in the country’s youth and citizens, adding that he hoped to see these goals become a reality.

PM Modi said he had come to Bastar on behalf of 140 crore Indians to thank security personnel for their service and sacrifice. He added that strong internal security was essential for protecting the country from external threats.

“Crores of countrymen are proud of you. With this sense of gratitude and belonging, I extend my heartfelt Diwali greetings to all of you, wherever you are stationed and standing guard,” he said.

Rajnath Singh celebrates Diwali with Army personnel in Sikkim

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Diwali with Indian Army personnel at the Sherathang War Memorial near Nathula Pass in Sikkim.

Singh praised the discipline, dedication and sacrifices of soldiers, saying their presence along the borders allowed people across the country to celebrate festivals and sleep peacefully.

He extended Diwali greetings to the personnel and their families and paid tribute to the martyrs commemorated at the memorial.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you and your family members on Diwali. I would also like to congratulate the martyrs of Sherathang War Memorial who have sacrificed their lives for us,” he said.