Naxals Wiped Out In Forests But 'Dimagi Naxals Hide Among Us': PM Modi In Bastar On Diwali

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today celebrated Diwali with security forces deployed in anti-Maoists operations in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, describing the occasion as special as it marked the first Diwali since the huge success against the Maoist threat which ended it.

However, PM Modi in a clear reference to recent agitations that were allegedly backed by elements who want to create chaos in the country, said that while Maoists have been wiped out in the forests, the threat from "dimagi Naxals" is real as "they have infiltrated into many political organisations."

"This Diwali in 2026 is truly special. This is the first Diwali since the nation won its decades-long battle against Naxalism and Maoist terror. This is the first Diwali where every single district in the country is free from Naxalism. This is the first Diwali where crores of our citizens have overcome the fear of Naxalism," PM Modi said, adding that the danger has not yet fully passed.

"Friends, amidst these successes, there is one more thing we must keep in mind. While the armed Naxalites have been eliminated, 'dimagi Naxals' have taken control of various organisations. Even today, they continue to incite people against the Constitution and democracy. These ideological Naxalites have infiltrated several political parties and diverse organisations. We must identify them, defeat them and ensure the nation's security," PM Modi said.

Opposition party leaders and activists who oppose the BJP have had war of words with the BJP over the use of the term "dimagi Naxals", which PM Modi first used during his address at the Red Fort on Independence Day.

Recently, Union Minister Jitendra Singh accused the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its key enablers of channelling illegal funds from foreign non-profits and hostile external networks to fuel unrest in India. Singh told reporters in Bengaluru that the authorities have concrete evidence linking the outfit's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and its strategist, Ashutosh Ranka, to overseas financiers. The CJP denied all the allegations and challenged the government to prove them.

For the first time in 47 years, not a single soldier of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been killed in action over the past year, PM Modi said.

"This is an extraordinary achievement and a great deal of the credit belongs to you, to the millions of brave souls, soldiers, sons and daughters and security personnel like you. That is why I have come to celebrate Diwali with you today, and to express gratitude - on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians - for your sacrifices, your dedication and your spirit of service," PM Modi said.

Bastar, long known as the epicentre of Maoists in Chhattisgarh, has undergone a major transformation following aggressive counter-insurgency operations, massive surrenders and development push.

According to the prime minister, while the achievements serve as an inspiration, they are not the end, rather they are "a launchpad for a new journey, a flight that will embody the dreams of the nation, dreams that our generations have cherished for centuries."

"In 2010, nearby in Dantewada, 66 of our CRPF security personnel were killed in action. That same year, in another incident in Dantewada, 41 innocent civilians were killed...

"Yet, not a single tear was shed by those living in their palaces of privilege. Such attacks were a recurring, everyday occurrence... If you look at the data from 2004 to 2013, the number of our brave soldiers killed in action each year exceeded the number of Maoists eliminated.

"Today, not a single CRPF soldier has had to lose their life while on duty. This is a victory for the nation's sound policies, respect and willpower. I repeat, this is a testament to your valour, courage and restraint," PM Modi said.