Bastar, Chhattisgarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that every district in the country was now free of Naxalism, describing this year's Diwali as a milestone in India's decades-long fight against Left-Wing Extremism.
Addressing security personnel deployed in anti-Naxal operations at a CRPF camp in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, Modi praised the courage and sacrifices of security forces, crediting them with helping end the insurgency.
“Diwali in 2026 is truly special. After 40–50 years, such a Diwali has come for you. This is the first Diwali when the country has won its decades-long battle against Naxalism and Maoist terror. This is the first Diwali when every district of the country is free from Naxalism. This is the first Diwali when crores of countrymen have overcome the fear of Naxalism,” he said.
“This is an extraordinary achievement, and a great deal of credit goes to you. It belongs to millions of brave men and women like you, our soldiers and security personnel. That is why I have come here today to celebrate Diwali with you,” he added.
Criticising the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Modi claimed that between 2004 and 2013, more security personnel were killed than Naxalites.
He alleged that successive governments during that period had treated Naxalism as an incurable problem and failed to address it.
“Previous governments had also kept the hands of security personnel fighting on the ground tied. Naxalite attacks would take place, but security forces did not have the freedom to retaliate openly. We gave the security forces the freedom to take all necessary decisions,” he said.
Modi also alleged that his government had acted against support extended to Left-Wing Extremism by people within the government and the administrative system.
“We worked with sensitivity and broke the backbone of Maoist terrorism. With a spirit of service, we transformed the lives of people in Naxal-affected areas. That is why even those who suffered due to Naxalism have stood firmly with the government and security forces,” he said.
The Prime Minister thanked security personnel and others who had contributed to the campaign against Naxalism.
Modi also highlighted the CRPF's achievement of recording zero operational casualties over 12 consecutive months, the first such stretch in 47 years.
The CRPF had reported the milestone earlier this month, with the last operational fatality recorded on October 30, 2025.
Speaking about his government's efforts to tackle Naxalism, Modi said its decisions had destroyed fake currency and choked the supply lines of Naxalites and separatists. He also said India had made progress in its fight against poverty.
“Just before Diwali this year, a few days ago, the World Bank stated in its report that over the past 12 years, 50 crore people in India have come out of extreme poverty. What could not be achieved through decades of slogans about eradicating poverty, the country has accomplished in just 12 years. Imagine what a huge achievement this is,” he said.
Modi attributed the progress to welfare schemes and government initiatives aimed at empowering the poor.
“During Diwali, we make rangolis. We created a rangoli of welfare schemes that continued to empower the poor,” he added.