PM Modi celebrates first ‘Naxalism-free’ Diwali with security personnel in the Bastar region, warns against ‘Dimagi Naxals’

PM Modi went to Bastar in Chattisgarh to celebrate Diwali with security personnel.
PM Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel in Bastar. (via X/@narendramodi)

Continuing his tradition of celebrating Diwali with security personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region to celebrate the festival this year. PM Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel deployed in the Bastar region in anti-naxal operations. He posted a video on his Instagram, showing him celebrating with security personnel.

Addressing the security personnel, PM Modi said that this Diwali was special because it was the first Diwali since the eradication of left-wing terrorism that plagued the region for decades.

“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,” PM Modi said.

The menace of Naxalism has ended: PM Modi

PM Modi praised the security personnel for completely eliminating the menace of Naxal terrorism in the region. “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,” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi had announced that he was going to celebrate Diwali with the security forces in “an area where Naxalism once held sway”, without disclosing the name of the place.

“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,” PM Modi said.

Warns against ‘Dimagi Naxals’

PM Modi expressed gratitude to the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, IRB, state police forces, Bastar Fighters and special forces, including women commandos, for their invaluable service to the nation. However, he cautioned that the threat was not yet over. PM Modi said that only armed Naxals have been uprooted, but Dimagi Naxals continue to wield power in several 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,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister further said that over the past decade, the country has won the battle against Naxalism and separatism but has also made significant progress in the fight against poverty.

While the pockets of residual extremism may linger quite some more time, the ‘Kitne Hidma maaroge’ brigade might make headlines once or twice in a year to find relevance for their dead cause; the organised threat of Naxalism that terrorised vast regions of India for nearly six decades stands defeated at the hands of Indian security forces and the Modi government right on the pre-decided deadline, 31st March 2026.

Written by OpIndia Staff
Last modified at