Dantewada, April 5 (HS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Bastar Pandum Mahotsav 2025 in Dantewada, emphasizing the need to combat Naxalism and promote development in the Bastar region. He appealed to Naxalites to surrender, assuring them of protection from the government, stating, No one feels happy killing anyone. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to eradicate Naxalism, with 521 Naxalites surrendering in 2025 and 881 in 2024, urging that development requires cooperation, not violence. Shah expressed his vision for a prosperous Bastar by the next Chaitra Navratri, stressing that peace is essential for advancements in education, healthcare, and basic amenities.
He urged local villagers to hold assemblies to facilitate the surrender of Naxalites, promising that Maoist-free villages would receive financial rewards for developmental projects. Shah declared that Prime Minister Modi aims to bring resources to Bastar in five years that have been absent for decades. He announced plans for a national-level Bastar Pandum, promoting cultural recognition and international attention to the region. The Home Minister’s message was clear: the future of Bastar hinges on the collaboration between locals and the government to eradicate Naxalism, enabling both development and peace. He assured that the government would remain committed to freeing the nation from red terror, emphasizing the transformation that awaits Bastar through community engagement and surrendering arms for a brighter future.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Congress, alleging that the assassination of Maharaja Pravir chandra Bhanj Deo from Bastar was a plot by its leaders. He highlighted Congress’s failure to eradicate poverty over 75 years, contrasting it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to distribute rations and uplift millions through welfare initiatives. Shah announced that the Chhattisgarh government will buy tendu leaves for ₹5,500 and ensure every village has Aadhar and ration cards, along with a dispensary. He emphasized the importance of marketing Bastar’s products and acknowledged the region’s artworks, which contribute to Delhi’s cultural richness. He expressed pride in honoring Veer Gundadhur, advocating for greater recognition of tribal leaders in India.
Shah encouraged ambition among the youth in Sukma, Bastar, and Kanker to pursue careers as sub-inspectors, barristers, and collectors, underscoring the development it signifies. He assured that the BJP’s double-engine government would provide security and aim to eradicate Naxalism from every village.
Additionally, Shah praised the Chhattisgarh government’s organization of the Bastar Pandum festival, which this year celebrated seven categories and will expand to twelve next year, featuring tribal artists nationally. He envisioned elevating Bastar Pandum to international status for showcasing tribal children’s art. Shah announced plans for a national-level Bastar Pandum next year and extended an invitation to President Droupadi Murmu for the inauguration, alongside other significant governmental figures.
The event was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, several cabinet colleagues, and a large assembly of party workers, further signaling the collective effort towards cultural and infrastructural development in Bastar.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
