'First Diwali After Victory Over Naxalism': PM Modi Celebrates Festival With Security Forces In Bastar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that India's decades-long battle against Naxalism has reached a decisive milestone, saying the country is celebrating its first Diwali since overcoming Maoist terror. Speaking in Chhattisgarh's Bastar on Sunday, where he celebrated the festival with security personnel, PM Modi credited their sacrifices and dedication for the transformation.

He said regions once gripped by Naxal violence were now witnessing development. The Prime Minister also criticised previous governments, accusing them of neglecting the welfare and concerns of security personnel. Addressing security personnel, PM Modi described Diwali 2026 as particularly significant, claiming that the country had won its decades-long battle against Naxalism and Maoist violence.

He said this was the first Diwali when every district in the country was free from Naxalism and millions of citizens had overcome the fear associated with the insurgency. Recalling his previous Diwali celebrations with security personnel, the Prime Minister said he considered them part of his family.

From Kargil in the Himalayas to Lepcha and the country's coastal regions, he said every Diwali spent with the forces had remained memorable. PM Modi also thanked thousands of personnel for their sacrifices, commitment and service, saying their contribution had been instrumental in achieving this milestone.

Highlighting the scale of the insurgency in earlier years, PM Modi said more than 230 districts across nearly 20 states had once been affected by Naxalism. In several areas, he said, normal life would come to a standstill after sunset, while Naxal groups had even prevented people from exercising their right to vote.

He recalled that states including Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh had witnessed widespread Maoist violence, with attacks numbering up to 2,000 in a year. Referring to the 2010 Dantewada attacks, PM Modi recalled that 76 security personnel were killed in an encounter with Naxals, while another incident in the same district claimed 44 civilian lives.

The Prime Minister further said that previous governments had failed to acknowledge the suffering of security personnel. He said more than 1,000 personnel had lost their lives in Chhattisgarh alone over the years, while several others suffered life-changing injuries in improvised explosive device (IED) blasts.

PM Modi's Bastar visit placed the contribution of security forces and the government's claims of progress against Left-wing extremism at the centre of this year's Diwali celebrations. Vinita Bhat is a Chief Copy Editor at ABP Live English, with experience in TV and digital journalism.

She covers geopolitics, international conflicts, global current affairs and Kashmir. For tips and queries, write to vinitab@abpnetwork.com.