Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah today participated as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum 2026 in Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, along with many dignitaries, were present on the occasion.
In his address, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah said that Bastar, which a few years ago was gripped by fear of Naxalites, where mortar shells, bullets from guns and IED blasts used to spread fear among our tribal brothers and sisters. Today, in the same Bastar, 55,000 people have revived the culture here by participating in 12 disciplines like food, song, dance, drama, costumes, traditions, and forest medicine. He said that this is a very big achievement.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Chhattisgarh government has given new life to our Bastar culture. Last year’s Bastar Pandum organized competitions in 7 disciplines, and this time, by adding five new disciplines, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has worked to promote our tribal and Bastar culture. He said that this time, 55,000 participants from seven districts, 1885 gram panchayats, and 32 Janpad headquarters participated in 12 disciplines.
The Union Home Minister said that a culture and art like Bastar’s is not available in any tribal region in the world, and we want to keep it alive for centuries. He said that Bastar’s art, culture, songs, and dances are not just ornaments of Bastar, but gems of India’s culture, and Bastar Pandum has taken it forward. Shri Shah said that the tribes of Bastar have their own culture. He said that they have preserved their culture since the time of Lord Shri Ram. The major dances here are progressing on the national stage in the coming days.
The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision is that Bastar’s culture should reach the country and the world. He said that Bastar’s identity can only be its rich culture and heritage, not gunpowder. Shri Shah also said that the Modi government, fully committed to the protection of tribal communities, is ensuring global recognition for Bastar’s dance, art, and tribal culture. Prime Minister Modi firmly believes that history is not just written in books; history is what lives in the memories of the people.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to honor the tribal communities, declared Lord Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas across the country. The 150th birth anniversary year of Lord Birsa Munda was celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh across the country. He said that Modi ji has promoted the commercial use of tribal crafts, culture, cuisine, and forest produce and has arranged for branding and marketing of 5 lakh forest products and traditional crafts.
The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that Pandit Ram Mandavi of Narayanpur, Hemchand Manjhi, Ajay Kumar Mandavi of Kanker, Bhudhari Dhati of Dantewada have been honored with Padma awards in the fields of art, health, and education, recognizing their contribution to the entire country. Additionally, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has created a comprehensive program to honor over 700 tribal communities. The Prime Minister has initiated a Tribal Museum with an investment of ₹200 crore, which preserves the memory of all tribal leaders who participated in the freedom struggle.
The Home Minister thanked the President for gracing the inauguration ceremony of Bastar Pandum. Shri Shah informed that he had requested the President to invite the participants who secured the top three positions in all 12 disciplines for a meal at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which the President has accepted. Shri Shah said that it is a matter of great honor that these participants will showcase their culture and art at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the fundamental basis of the fight against Naxalism is the safety of tribal farmers, innocent children, and women. He asked, when Naxals plant IEDs, do they not know that tribal farmers will step on them and become permanently disabled? Do they not know that an innocent child will be destroyed by it? Where do Naxals get such cruelty from? The Union Home Minister appealed to the remaining Naxals to lay down their arms, stating that the government will take care of those who surrender in every way and will rehabilitate them with dignity. Shri Shah said that the rehabilitation package created by the Chhattisgarh government is very attractive.
Shri Amit Shah appealed to all Naxals to send their daughters for rehabilitation at least once, as these girls have their whole lives ahead of them. He said that those who have surrendered in large numbers will not face any harm. The Home Minister said that those who fire in villages, plant IEDs in fields and on roads, burn schools and hospitals, and shut down mobile towers will not be spared. He said that the response to weapons will be with weapons. Shri Shah also said that Maoism has not benefited anyone.
The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that today our Bastar is emerging as an excellent brand in the eyes of the entire country. Many schools that were closed for 40 years have been reopened by the Chhattisgarh government. Shri Shah asked the tribal brothers and sisters, whose good did Naxals do by closing schools? Our new generation was deprived of literacy. Shri Shah said that in the next 5 years, Bastar will be the most developed among all tribal areas, and new tourism activities will enrich Bastar with employment. All closed primary health centers, hospitals, and schools will be started, along with higher secondary schools and colleges. He said that now post offices are opening in every village, mobile towers are being installed, and roads connecting villages are also being built very well. The Home Minister said that there are many villages where our national flag, the tricolor, has been hoisted after four decades.
Shri Amit Shah stated that every village will have connectivity, and a post office or bank branch will be opened every 5 kilometers. Every tribal’s paddy will be purchased at ₹3100 per quintal, and each tribal will receive 5 kg of free paddy per person per month. Additionally, gas cylinders and tap water connections will be provided to every household. Elected representatives will represent the Panchayat, Tehsil Panchayat, and Zila Panchayat. He said that as soon as Naxalism ends, many new tourism activities like adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks, and glass bridges will develop, and in no time, we will take Bastar very far. Shri Shah said that a new industrial area and auto gig area of 118 acres are being established in Bastar, which will provide employment to tribal youth brothers and sisters.
The Union Home Minister said that the work on the 3500 crore Raoghat Jagdalpur rail project has begun. The river-linking project is also being taken forward, and training for various trades is being provided to over 90,000 youth. A new irrigation scheme on the Indravati River at a cost of ₹36 crore will also be implemented, which will generate 120 MW of electricity.
Shri Amit Shah said that today there is no curfew-like atmosphere in Bastar, and glimpses of cultural dances can be seen in the villages at night. This is a huge transformation for our Bastar. He said that the Bastar Olympics has been successfully organized, and today we are thinking of expanding Bastar Pandum. The Home Minister thanked all the soldiers who participated in the strong decisive battle against Naxalism on behalf of the tribals of Bastar and expressed gratitude to the families of the brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives in this fight. He said that there should be no doubt that Bastar will become Naxal-free within the stipulated time.