Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, addresses the Bastar Dussehra Festival in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
The 75-day-long Bastar Dussehra festival is not only significant for the tribal community, Chhattisgarh, or India but is also the largest cultural festival in the world
For years, some people spread the misconception that Naxalism is a fight for development, but the root cause of Bastar’s deprivation from development is Naxalism itself
On behalf of Prime Minister Modi, I want to assure you that after March 31, 2026, Naxalites will no longer be able to hinder Bastar’s development or the rights of its people
I urge the people of Bastar to convince the misled youth to lay down their arms, join the mainstream, and become partners in Bastar’s development
The Central and Chhattisgarh governments are fully committed to the development of Bastar and all Naxal-affected areas
If anyone attempts to disrupt Bastar’s peace with weapons, our armed forces and police will together give a fitting response
Since 1874, the active participation, judicial system, efforts to preserve tribal culture, and the historical tradition of public dialogue in the Muria Darbar represent a global heritage
Bastar Dussehra and Muria Darbar work to unite tribal communities and bind the entire Bastar region together
The Rath Yatra of Maa Danteshwari, which began in the 14th century, initiated a cultural awakening across the entire Bastar region
If 140 crore people embrace the pledge of Swadeshi, no one can stop India from becoming the world’s leading economic power
Raipur (thestates.news) | Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, addressed the Bastar Dussehra Festival in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh today. Prior to his address, Shri Shah visited and offered prayers at the renowned Danteshwari Temple. The Bastar Dussehra Festival was attended by several dignitaries, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Vijay Sharma.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the 75-day-long Bastar Dussehra, the largest and most unique festival in the world, is not only a cultural event for the tribal community, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, or India but also for the entire world. Shri Shah mentioned that during his prayers at the Danteshwari Temple, he sought blessings for the security forces to gain the strength to make the Bastar region free from Naxalite violence by March 31, 2026. He debunked the misconception propagated by some in Delhi that Naxalism arose from a struggle for development, asserting that Naxalism itself is the primary reason for Bastar’s deprivation from progress. He highlighted that while every village in the country now has access to electricity, drinking water, roads, toilets, health insurance up to ₹5 lakh, and free grain distribution, with rice procurement at ₹3,100 per quintal, Bastar has lagged behind in this race for progress.
