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The Union Home Minister said that by March 31, 2026, the country will be completely free from Naxalism
Shah made it unequivocally clear that the government would not negotiate under duress. Image/News18
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi at the “Sabse Bada Dangal” event on Thursday, made a resolute commitment regarding the complete eradication of Naxalism from India, while also launching a scathing attack on opposition parties for their alleged support of the ideology.
Regarding the timeline for eliminating the threat, Shah declared, “By March 31, 2026, the country will be completely free from Naxalism.” This statement establishes a definitive, forward-looking deadline for one of the country’s most persistent internal security challenges.
The Home Minister used the state of Bihar, which is heading into elections, as a key example of the government’s success in this area. He proudly announced that “Bihar is completely free from Naxalism, which is why voting will take place until 5 pm.” This connection was made to emphasise that the return of normal, full-day voting hours is a direct consequence of the successful stabilisation of law and order in the region.
Shah issued a direct challenge and final warning to the remaining extremists: “I want to tell the Naxals, the paths for you to enter the mainstream are open; surrender your weapons, otherwise, the country will remain free from Naxalism by March ’26.”
He made it unequivocally clear that the government would not negotiate under duress. Stressing the fundamental impossibility of dialogue with armed groups, Shah remarked, “There will never be any dialogue with those who hold weapons,” and emphatically asked, “Does one hold a discussion with a gun pointed at the temple?”
Furthermore, the Home Minister accused two major political entities of providing cover and intellectual justification for the movement. He charged that “the Congress and the Left provide ideological nourishment to the Naxals,” suggesting that their rhetoric and political positions indirectly fuel the extremist ideology. This political broadside aims to draw a sharp contrast between the ruling party’s hard-line security focus and the Opposition’s approach to the issue of left-wing extremism.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
October 29, 2025, 22:04 IST
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