Diwali 2026: India free from Naxal and Maoist terror after decades

According to an India Today report, security forces were lauded on the occasion of Diwali 2026 in Chhattisgarh's Bastar for eradicating Naxalism and promoting development. After decades of violence, this is the first time that every district of India has become completely free from Naxalism and Maoist terror. On this occasion, emphasis was laid on the importance of internal security, and tributes were paid to the sacrifices of various security agencies including the CRPF, COBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, state police, and Bastar Fighters.

Recalling past challenges, it was stated that Left-Wing Extremism affected over 230 districts across approximately 20 states, with up to two thousand attacks taking place in a year. Before peace was established, the 2010 Dantewada attack was a extremely serious incident in which 76 CRPF personnel were martyred and 44 civilians lost their lives.

Anti-Naxal operations have been further strengthened since the year 2014, as a result of which not a single CRPF jawan died last year. Major steps were taken to choke funding, logistics, and recruitment, which accelerated operational freedom and development in the affected areas.

The speaker emphasized electoral reforms and the unity of the NDA under Modi, with a special focus on security and development. In addition, an economic empowerment scheme for women in Uttar Pradesh was announced, and a review of Uttar Pradesh's infrastructure, economic development, cultural resurgence, good governance progress, and youth employment initiatives was also carried out. The tenth Ayodhya Deepotsav was celebrated by lighting lakhs of lamps on the banks of the Saryu river, which is a symbol of spiritual and economic progress. At the same time, actions related to allegations of theft of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple were also taken.