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Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the BJP-led government aims to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026 and will not tolerate any talk of dividing the country.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the Rising Bharat Summit on April 9. (Image: News18)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the BJP-led government is committed to wiping out Naxalism by next year and “will not tolerate any talk of dividing the country” over the Khalistan issue.
Speaking at the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Shah spoke on the government’s approach to addressing Naxalism and the threat posed by anti-national elements like the Khalistan movement.
On the subject of eliminating Naxalism, Shah confidently stated that the government is committed to eradicating it completely by 31st March 2026.
“It is a firm decision of our government that we will make India free of Naxalism,” he affirmed.
The home minister also highlighted the progress made in reducing the influence of Naxalism across the country, noting that the number of affected districts has dropped from 120 to just 12.
“Once upon a time, there was a dream of Pashupati to Tirupati, but that dream has been shattered. Bihar is free, Jharkhand is free, Maharashtra is almost free, only a few districts are left, Madhya Pradesh is almost free, only a few districts are left. Telangana is free, Andhra Pradesh is free, Orissa is free, Kerala is free, Karnataka is free. Now, only a few districts and a few districts are left,” Shah stated.
Criticising the Congress, Shah defended the central government’s record, pointing out that, in Chhattisgarh, between 1924 and 1925, 436 Naxalites were killed, 1,364 were arrested, and 1,400 surrendered.
“We have ended the security vacuum… In the last 5 years, we have built about 380 camps. The soldiers of CRPF, ITBP, BSF, and Chhattisgarh Police have worked in these dense jungles and have made significant efforts to combat Naxalism. Still, I would like to say through today’s programme that many people have surrendered, given up their weapons, joined the mainstream, and are now leading better lives,” he noted.
On the Khalistan issue, Shah addressed concerns about growing Khalistani activities, saying that it is the responsibility of both the Punjab government and the Indian government to tackle the issue.
“If anyone talks about breaking the country, we cannot tolerate it at all. The Indian government will do its job,” the Union Minister added.
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