Maintaining his long-standing annual tradition of spending the festival of lights with the nation's frontline defenders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh this year. The visit carried immense historical weight, as he spent the day celebrating Diwali alongside the dedicated security personnel who have been actively deployed in anti-Naxal operations across the challenging terrain.

Sharing glimpses of the day, the Prime Minister posted an engaging video on his official Instagram account, which showed him happily participating in the festivities and interacting warmly with the jawans.

Before arriving at the destination, the Prime Minister had set a tone of deep respect for the armed forces early in the day. He announced his travel plans to an area heavily associated with past conflicts, initially keeping the exact location under wraps before sharing his official departure message via government channels:

“Heading to Bastar to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces. This is an area where Naxalism once held sway, and now, development is flourishing. I am going to salute our brave security personnel for their sacrifices, selfless service and unwavering devotion to the nation,”

Upon arriving in Bastar, PM Modi addressed the gathered security personnel, delivering a passionate speech about the changing landscape of India's internal security. He pointed out that this particular festive season holds a unique place in the country's modern history, marking the end of left-wing extremism that has haunted the region for several decades. Giving context to the monumental achievement, he stated:

“This Diwali in 2026 is truly special! This has come after 40–50 years. This is the first Diwali since the nation won its decades-long battle against Naxalism and Maoist terror. This is the first Diwali when every single district in the country is free from Naxalism. This is the first Diwali when crores of our citizens have overcome the fear of Naxalism,”

The Scourge Of Naxal Terror Is Finally Over: PM Modi

During his address, the Prime Minister took a moment to deeply praise the security forces, crediting their relentless efforts for the complete elimination of Naxal terrorism in the area. By speaking directly to the troops, he emphasized a strong personal bond and highlighted the direct connection between their hard work and the region's newfound peace.

“You are all a part of my family. This time, I have come to celebrate Diwali in the forests of Bastar. 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,”

This statement underscored the government's dual approach to the region: rooting out violence while simultaneously ushering in a much-needed era of infrastructure and social development.

Caution Against The Hidden ‘Dimagi Naxals’

While the mood was celebratory, the Prime Minister made sure to express his profound gratitude to the vast network of agencies that made this victory possible. He explicitly thanked the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, IRB, state police forces, the local Bastar Fighters, and various special forces, making a special mention of the brave women commandos for their invaluable service to the nation.

Despite the operational success on the ground, PM Modi issued a stern warning that the broader ideological war is not entirely finished. He drew a sharp line between the armed insurgents who have been physically uprooted from the jungles and what he termed as "Dimagi Naxals"—intellectual sympathizers who continue to wield quiet power from within institutions of national importance.

“Naxalism has ended, but the threat is not yet over. Armed Naxals may have been wiped out from the forests, but the “dimagi Naxals” have taken control over many organisations. Today, they are instigating people against the country’s democracy and Constitution. These “dimagi Naxals” have infiltrated many political organisations and associations. We need to recognise them, defeat them and ensure the security of the country,”

Concluding his thoughts, the Prime Minister reflected on the broader achievements of the past decade. He noted that alongside winning the fierce battle against separatism and Naxalism, India has also recorded significant, measurable progress in its fight against poverty.

Looking ahead, officials acknowledge that while small pockets of residual extremism may attempt to linger for a little while longer, their impact has been drastically minimized. Factions like the ‘Kitne Hidma maaroge’ brigade might try to grab media headlines once or twice a year simply to find relevance for a cause that is already dead. However, the indisputable reality remains: the highly organized threat of Naxalism, which successfully terrorized vast regions of India for nearly six decades, now stands thoroughly defeated by Indian security forces and the Modi government, notably achieving this historic milestone right on their pre-decided deadline of 31st March 2026.