In a powerful address on Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah drew a clear line: no ceasefire with Maoists. However, he emphasized that a “red carpet” awaits those who are willing to lay down their arms. Shah reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to completely eradicate “violent Naxalism” by March 31, 2026, stressing that tackling the underlying ideology is crucial for achieving this goal.
Addressing a summit titled ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat: Ending Red Terror Under PM Narendra Modi’s Leadership,’ organized by the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, Shah referenced a recent letter from the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) that appeared in Chhattisgarh. He dismissed their attempt to sow confusion, stating, “They recently tried to create confusion by issuing a letter, claiming that they want to surrender. There will be no ceasefire. Give up your arms if you want to surrender. You will be rehabilitated.”
Shah criticized Left parties and NGOs for demanding a halt to government operations like ‘Operation Black Forest’ against Naxal outfits. “Why do you want to save them? Why are you selective in showing sympathy and sensitivity? Why don’t they and NGOs show the same sympathy and sensitivity towards the victims of Naxal violence?” he questioned.
He further dismissed the “falsehood” that a lack of development is the primary driver of Left-Wing Extremism, calling it a deliberate attempt to “mislead” the nation. “We all know that when our country got independence, resources were limited, and not all regions could develop simultaneously. However, the situation today is starkly different. I ask the Leftist intellectuals who support this movement: Who is responsible for preventing development in places like Bijapur and Sukma in Chhattisgarh?” he challenged.
Alleging a direct link between Leftist ideology and violence, the Home Minister cited international examples from Colombia, Peru, and Cambodia. He pointed out that while Naxalism originated in the so-called “Red Corridor,” numerous other districts with significant developmental disparities did not experience such unrest. “You want to create a vacuum at the level of the State, governance, Constitution, and security… you do not want development for the Adivasis; you are only concerned about keeping your ideology alive,” he asserted.
Shah highlighted a significant shift in government strategy since 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Unlike previous “scattered approaches,” the current government has pursued a “unified and ruthless” strategy against violence, coupled with robust rehabilitation efforts for those who surrender and focused development in affected regions. “We do not want bloodshed. However, if you want to kill innocent Adivasis, it is our dharma to protect them and take the Naxals head-on,” he declared.
Since 2019, arms supplies to the banned outfit have been cut by 90%, with agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and the National Investigation Agency actively targeting their financial networks. Security vulnerabilities were addressed through fortified camps, improved intelligence sharing, enhanced capacity building, and better coordination between Central and State forces. Operations such as ‘Octopus’ and ‘Double Bull’ have dealt severe blows to the group, he noted.
Comparing periods, Shah stated, “As a result, there was a 73% and 74% reduction in the deaths of security personnel and civilians during 2014-24 compared to 2004-14.” He specifically mentioned Chhattisgarh, where success rates improved significantly after the BJP government took office in 2024, with 290 Naxals neutralized that year. He added that 1,090 were arrested and 881 surrendered, demonstrating the government’s multi-pronged strategy. So far this year, 270 Maoists have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh, 680 arrested, and 1,225 have surrendered, leading to a reduction of Maoist activities to just 18 districts.
Shah concluded by stating that when Prime Minister Modi assumed office in 2014, India faced three critical internal security challenges: Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East, and Left-Wing Extremism. In J&K, he noted that security forces combated Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Article 370 was abrogated, people-centric schemes were implemented, and both security and civilian casualties saw sharp declines. In the North-East, 12 peace accords were signed, steering the region towards peace and development.
The Union Home Minister underscored that internal and external security, cultural nationalism, and the revitalization of Indian culture form the fundamental tenets of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ideology.