Put down your weapons and become part of Bastall’s development journey: Amit Shah attracts Maoists

Union Interior Minister Amit Shah appealed to Maoists on Saturday (5 April 2025) to pick up weapons and join the mainstream, and Pins believes that no one feels happy when Maoists are killed.

Speaking at the end of the Chhattisgarh government’s “Bastal Pandom” festival, Mr. Shah asserted that the coalition government is committed to eliminating Maoist threats by March 2026 and that Maoists will not be able to stop the development of the Bastal tribe residents.

“The days when bullets were fired and bombs went off in Bastar are over. I urge Naxalite brothers to lay down arms and join the mainstream. You are our own people. No one feels happy when a Naxalite is killed. Just surrender your weapons and join the mainstream. You cannot stop the development of your diplomatic brothers and sisters by taking up arms,” ​​he said, offering an olive branch to the outlawed Maoist movement.

The Minister assured that the surrendered Maoists who became part of the development process would be fully protected by the coalition and the state government.

He said: “The region needs development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to give everything to Bastar in five years. Bastar has never seen development in fifty years. But it only happens when the kids go to school and tehsils have medical facilities…everyone has an Aadhaar card, a rating card and health insurance.”

He said development will only happen if the Bastarians decide to make “their houses and villages without Naxalits”.

Shah pointed out that Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Deputy Minister CM Vijay Sharma have announced that the villages helped to surrender Maoists and declared that the hairless villages would receive Rs 1 crore in development funds.

“We have been taking the approach of opposing Naxalism between the two countries. The BJP government will release the red terror state by March next year,” he asserted.

Instead`Bhay(Fear), Bastall will be “`BhavishyaMr Shaa said: “(Future), adding that Chief Ministers and Deputy CM Sharma have been working to bring development to the region.

He said: “There used to be the sound of bullets, today there is the sound of machines. The village was abandoned, and now the bells of schools are ringing there. It’s a dream road, and now it’s becoming a highway. Now the kids used to be afraid of going to school, and now they’re talking to the whole world through computers.”

Shah said to the audience: “I humbly ask you to hold meetings in your village and encourage the (Maoist) militia to surrender.”

He said that the locals in Bastair do not have to be afraid of anyone, as the “dual engine government” of Bharatiya Janata party will ensure their safety.

He said: “No one needs to be afraid under Modi’s rule; I again ask us to launch a campaign to make every village naxal free. I hope every village can get Rs 1 crore.”

Mr Shah expressed his praise for the Bastar Pandum Festival, which will be held at the national level next year, and he will ask President Droupadi Murmu to attend the opening ceremony.

“Next year we will bring artists from tribal areas across the country (attend the Bastar Pandum Festival). In addition, to give Bastar Pandum international status, the BJP government will bring ambassadors from all over the world who are stationed in the national capital so that they can experience our traditions, cultures and art from tribal children.

Mr Shah said that some people asked what would be achieved in the event, but they did not know the united power of India in terms of diversity.

He added: “The power of India is a fusion of many cultures and traditions, art, language, dialect and cuisine.”

Congress said that it has been 75 years since Congress’s slogan “Garribe Harto” (Eliminate Poverty), but the poor are still poor.

The Modi government has built over 40 crore houses for the poor in 10 years, provided 12 crore toilets for Rs 11 crore, built toilets in 12 crore units and provided tap water for 15 crore houses, he said the prime minister also provided free diet, adding that the prime minister also promised free treatment worth Rs 5 crore.

Mr. Shah paid tribute to Pravil Chandra Danji Dea, former ruler of Bastair, who was killed in 1966.

The minister said: “Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo sacrificed his life for Jal, jungle, Zameen (water, forest, land) and tribal culture. Then the Congress leader could not stand his popularity and was murdered through conspiracy.”

Chief Minister Sai and Deputy CMS Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma were present.

Earlier, Mr. Shah prayed at the Maa Danteshwari temple in Dantewada.