Bastar, Chhattisgarh | April 5, 2025:<\/strong> Speaking during his visit to Bastar<\/strong> to attend the vibrant Bastar Pandum festival<\/strong>, Shah emphasized the Centre\u2019s vision of development and prosperity for tribal regions. \u201cNo one rejoices in the loss of life, not even when it is that of a Naxal.<\/strong> Peace is the only way to fulfil the dreams of a flourishing Bastar,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He urged Maoists to lay down arms and reintegrate<\/strong> into mainstream society, stressing that development initiatives launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/strong>\u2019s leadership can only succeed in an atmosphere of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shah highlighted Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai<\/strong>\u2019s announcement of a \u20b91 crore reward<\/strong> for every village that becomes free of Maoist influence. “This is a call to action for communities to take ownership of peace and progress,\u201d Shah said, inviting militants to surrender and contribute to nation-building<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He painted a hopeful future for Bastar \u2014 a land where children can attend school safely, where each village has access to healthcare, clean water<\/strong>, and seven kilograms of free rice per person<\/strong>, thanks to the welfare policies of the Modi government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Referring to the transformation of Bastar<\/strong>, once plagued by violence, Shah remarked, \u201cToday, Bastar echoes not with gunfire but with the hum of industries and the laughter of schoolchildren.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Celebrating the Bastar Pandum<\/strong>, Shah hailed it as a symbol of tribal pride and cultural resurgence<\/strong>. With 47,000 artists<\/strong> participating this year, the festival showcased Bastar\u2019s rich traditions, languages, cuisine, and crafts<\/strong>. Shah announced plans to expand the festival next year across 12 categories<\/strong>, aiming for international recognition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also expressed hope that President Droupadi Murmu<\/strong>, hailing from a tribal background herself, would attend next year\u2019s celebration \u2014 a symbolic gesture of empowerment and inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shah drew a sharp contrast between the current administration and previous Congress governments, citing landmark achievements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile Congress remained inactive, PM Modi\u2019s government delivered on its promises,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The Home Minister revealed that over 500 Maoists have surrendered<\/strong> so far in 2025. He reassured those willing to surrender of fair treatment and reintegration but issued a stern warning that those persisting in violence would face strong action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shah also paid rich tributes to Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo<\/strong>, a revered figure in Bastar\u2019s history, and Babu Jagjivan Ram<\/strong>, a champion of social justice. He reaffirmed the BJP\u2019s unwavering commitment to the safety and upliftment<\/strong> of every tribal village in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Bastar embraces peace and development, Shah\u2019s visit and message mark a significant moment in the Union government\u2019s campaign to eliminate extremism and promote cultural pride in India\u2019s heartland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bastar, Chhattisgarh | April 5, 2025:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday issued a heartfelt appeal to Maoists in Chhattisgarh to surrender arms and embrace peace, as he reiterated the Union government\u2019s goal of achieving a Naxal-free India by 2026. Speaking during his visit to Bastar to attend the vibrant Bastar Pandum festival, Shah emphasized […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22831,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","category-politics"],"yoast_head":"\n
Union Home Minister Amit Shah<\/strong> on Saturday issued a heartfelt appeal to Maoists in Chhattisgarh to surrender arms and embrace peace, as he reiterated the Union government\u2019s goal of achieving a Naxal-free India by 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u20b91 Crore Incentive for Maoist-Free Villages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Vision for a New Bastar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cultural Renaissance and Global Aspirations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Citing Development Achievements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Over 500 Surrenders in 2025 Alone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tributes and Commitment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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