Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Modi government has implemented several initiatives to foster development in areas previously impacted by left-wing extremism. On Monday, Shah remarked that Naxalism has been nearly eradicated from Bastar, with the region now progressing on a path of development.
While responding to the debate in the Lok Sabha regarding the government's efforts to eradicate left-wing extremism, Shah directed his criticism at the Congress, questioning why tribal communities had been "deprived of development" during its tenure.
Shah emphasised that the people of Bastar had been left behind in development due to the constant "shadow of Red Terror" in the region.
"Today, Naxalism has been almost eradicated from Bastar. A campaign was launched to establish a school in every village across Bastar. A drive was undertaken to open a ration shop in every village within the region. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) have been set up in every tehsil and panchayat. Aadhaar cards and ration cards have been distributed, and people are now receiving five kilograms of food grains," he said.
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"I simply wish to ask those who were here advocating on behalf of Naxalism: Why have the people not received these benefits till now? The people of Bastar were left behind precisely because the shadow of 'Red Terror' loomed over the region; that is why development failed to reach them. Today, that shadow has been lifted, and Bastar is now on the path of development," he added.
Shah stressed that there can be no justification for violence, and all demands should be made through constitutional means.
"Out of the 75 years since independence, power remained in your (Congress) hands for 60 years. Why, then, have the tribal communities remained deprived of development to this day? It is only now, with the arrival of Narendra Modi, that actual development is taking place. For sixty years, you failed to provide them with homes or access to clean water; you built no schools for them; you prevented mobile towers and banking facilities from reaching their areas, and yet, now you are the ones demanding accountability?" he remarked.
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The Home Minister pointed out that twelve crore people lived in poverty for years due to Naxalism, with thousands of young lives lost.
"The root cause of Naxalism is not the demand for development. It is an ideology—an ideology that Indira Ji embraced back in 1970 to win the presidential election. Naxalism spread precisely because of this leftist ideology," he explained.
"Twelve states—Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, Kerala, parts of Karnataka, and three districts of Uttar Pradesh—were affected. A complete 'Red Corridor' was formed, and the rule of law disappeared there. Twelve crore people lived in poverty for years, and no one showed any concern. Thousands of young lives were lost. Many were left permanently disabled or crippled for the rest of their lives. Who is responsible for this?" he asked.
The Modi government has said that Naxalism will be eliminated by the government by March 31 this year.
( With ANI Inputs )