UNION Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that Naxalism in Bastar will be eradicated within the stipulated timeframe. He emphasised that the Government is not opposing any group, but the brutality of Maoist violence. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-day Bastar Pandum at the divisional headquarters on Monday, Shah noted that Maoism has wrought only destruction keeping Bastar’s schools shuttered for nearly 30 years and consigning thousands to illiteracy. Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to security personnel who laid down their lives for peace in Bastar, noting the tribal community's enduring gratitude for their service. He announced that by December 2027, every village in Bastar will have electricity, mobile towers, and a post office. Farmers will also receive five kilograms of paddy seeds each. Shah urged the crowd to chant “Maa Danteshwari” so loudly that even Naxals hiding in Telangana could hear it. He highlighted how Bastar once paralyzed by Naxal fear has now seen 55,000 people unite to revive its rich cultural heritage through the festival.

 

Emphasising the timelessness of Bastar's traditions, Shah said tribal culture has endured since Lord Ram’s era and will thrive for centuries. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi views history not just in books, but alive in tribal heritage. The top three winning artists from Bastar Pandum will perform at Rashtrapati Bhavan and dine with the President. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Bastar, once deprived of basic facilities due to Naxalism, has witnessed restoration of peace within two years. Calling Bastar Pandum a symbol of the region’s identity, he said the government is committed to taking Bastar’s culture to the global stage. He added that with firm resolve from the Prime Minister and Home Minister, Naxalism is in its final phase, and where bomb blasts once echoed, school bells are now ringing. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma praised the Cultural Department for successfully organizing the event and expressed confidence that Naxalism will be completely eradicated.

 

He said Bastar has seen significant transformation in the last one and a half years and that remaining Naxals should surrender voluntarily. State BJP President and Jagdalpur MLA Kiran Singh Deo said Bastar Pandum has gained global recognition and that the efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai are helping free Bastar from Naxal violence. Presenting the event report, Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal said the grand event saw participation from 55,000 people representing 1850 gram panchayats and is helping promote tribal art, culture and tourism. As part of the three-day Bastar Pandum festival, competitions were organised across 12 traditional disciplines celebrating the rich tribal heritage of the Bastar region. Winners in each category were honored with first prizes and a cheque of Rs 50,000 each.

 

The awardees include in Forest Medicine Rajdev Baghel from Bastar, Regional Literature Uttam Naik from Kondagaon, Tribal Painting Deepak Kumar from Kanker, Tribal Ornaments, Sugni Dugga from Narayanpur, Traditional Attire, Gunjan Nag from Sukma, Tribal Beverage, Urmila Pradhan and her team from Bijapur, Tribal Craft, Omprakash Gavde from Kanker, Tribal Cuisine, Tarabati from Dantewada, Tribal Theatre, Lekhan Lakhma from Sukma, Musical Instruments, Raju Mandavi from Kondagaon, Tribal Song, Mangli and team from Dantewada, Gaur Dance, Budhram and his team from Dantewada. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah congratulated Dantewada district for winning the highest number of awards at the festival.