'India Is Free Of Naxalism': Amit Shah In Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that Naxalism has been wiped out of India. He was speaking in the Lok Sabha on "Discussion Under Rule 193: Discussion on efforts to free the country from left-wing extremism." The Centre has announced multiple times that Naxalism would be wiped out of the country by March 31, 2026.

Before Shah, several MPs, including Anurag Thakur, took part in the extensive debate. He thanked the Speaker for holding a debate in the Lower House of Parliament on the issue of Naxalism. "Today, Naxalism has almost ended in Bastar. I want to ask those supporting Naxalism why this has not happened since 1970. This is Narendra Modi's government; those who will pick up weapons will have to pay for them. I want to ask Congress MPs, why development did not reach tribals despite Congress ruling for 60 years out of the 75 years after independence," he said.

According to Shah, 12 crore people used to stay in poverty in the red-corridor in 12 states, which included Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka.

"The main reason for Naxalism is ideology, which was accepted by Indira Gandhi for winning the Presidential Election. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had accepted that Naxalism was the biggest security challenge, but nothing happened," said the Union Minister.

He also listed the achievements of the 12-year-old rule of the Narendra Modi government. "A lot has happened in these 12 years, and if a political science student had to rate, he would not hesitate to keep Naxalism-free India on the top," he said.

Shah then credited the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) forces and the police of different states for wiping out Naxalism. He paid tribute to those who lost their lives due to Naxalism.

"Naxalism did not allow development, and now, under Narendra Modi, development is happening in those areas. The roots of Naxalism are not related to development," Shah added. The senior BJP leader then gave examples to prove his point.

"If development was the parameter or the Per Capita Income was the parameter, then there were many regions in the 1970s, where development was not reached, then why did Naxalism not reach there?" he wondered.

Shah then spoke about how Naxalism spread in the country. "From 1970 to 2004, the Congress was in power, except for 4 years. In 1970, there was a slogan, vote as per conscience. This slogan was given by Indira Gandhi. This was the time when the Naxalis, which started from Naxalbari, spread to 12 states," he added.

"20,000 people have been killed due to Naxalism. This is an ideological battle. Their only agenda is to create a vacuum, a state vacuum. There cannot be a justification for Naxal courts. They ran parallel governments. In Chhattisgarh's Bastar, they had their Home Minister and Law Minister. By targetting Constition, they created a Constitution vacuum. How can this be supported? Our government's policy is that we will fire if weapons are not laid down," Shah maintained. "In 1969, the CPI (ML) was formed to oppose democracy," he quipped.

"From 1925 to 2026, there is a history of 101 years. Do not glorify Naxals," he said as he took a dig at Congress.

"This is BJP's government, and we have taken responsiliblity of each citizen's security. I want to ask Urban Naxals, and have read articles which suggest that Naxals should be given sympathy. There is no article for the widows of the security personnel who were killed," Shah said.

Shah also said that the days are over for urban Naxals. "I want to say one more thing that Salwa Judam started in 2005," he added.

He also said that 5,000 mobile towers have been installed in the areas which were affected by Naxalism. "1804 bank branches have started, 37,850 banking correspondents have been made, and 635 post offices have been made in 12 years. We wiped out Naxalism and developed the area," Shah asserted.

He said in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur, the Modi government created a super-speciality hospital. "In terms of security, we brought a special infrastructure scheme. We finished those indulging in violence. It is not that Congress did not want to end this, but the Naxals indulged in violence. Narendra Modi made it clear that illegal elements will be firmly dealt with," he said.

He said 706 Naxals were killed in three years. "This should be the approach of the government; we should talk with those who talk but firmly deal with those who kill farmers and citizens," he added.

Shah then gave details about Operation Black Forest, which was executed in Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

"I can say that we have wiped out Naxalism from the country," he announced. Shah also questioned how Congress ran the country.

"From 1970 to 2026, they (Congress) have supported Naxalism. Congress leaders have become Naxalites," he added.

Shah also hit out at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for supporting Naxals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Amit Shah's speech is filled with important facts, historical context and the efforts of Government in the last decade. In a post on X, Modi said, " For decades, the retrograde Maoist ideology had an adverse impact on the development of several regions. Left Wing Extremism has ruined the future of countless youngsters."

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