Union Home Minister Amit Shah says: ‘Next Chaitra Navratri, we will celebrate a red terror-free Bastar.’
NEW DELHI: Dantewada witnessed a historic moment on Saturday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the closing ceremony of the Bastar Pandoom Festival and delivered a powerful message to the nation.
On this auspicious day, which marked both Ashtami and Ram Navami, Amit Shah said, “Today, I seek blessings from Goddess Danteshwari and make a solemn vow — by the next Chaitra Navratri, the shadow of red terror will be wiped from the land of Bastar. This is my promise, declared from the holy soil of Dantewada.”
From the stage, the Home Minister declared that Bastar will no longer be known for Naxalism, but for its rich folk traditions, tribal heritage, and progress. He confidently announced that next year, tribal communities from across India will participate in this festival, showcasing the diversity of their art and culture.
Amit Shah remarked, “Today, I stand in the maternal land of Lord Ram. The same Bastar where Ram spent a significant part of his exile will now walk the path of peace, guided by his ideals — not by fear and violence.”
He also heaped praise on Chhattisgarh’s first tribal Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, saying, “The Chief Minister has dismantled the network of middlemen who looted tribal communities for years. Now, the government will procure tendu leaves directly from the tribals — at a record rate of Rs 4,000 per standard sack — a truly historic decision.”
He firmly stated, “The era of those who exploited, deceived