# Modi celebrates Diwali in Bastar, declares Naxalism defeated

> Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on Diwali to celebrate with security forces and declare victory over armed Naxalism, while making veiled remarks about other threats to the nation.
- Title: Modi celebrates Diwali in Bastar, declares Naxalism defeated
- Summary: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Chhattisgarh's Bastar region on Diwali to celebrate with security forces and declare victory over armed Naxalism, while…
- Keywords: narendra modi, bastar, chhattisgarh, diwali, naxalism, security forces, crpf, india, The Indian Express
- Source: The Indian Express — https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-chhattisgarh-bastar-diwali-celebration-security-forces-10955301
- Author: Express Web Desk
- Published: 2026-11-08T04:48:43+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: narendra modi, bastar, chhattisgarh, diwali, naxalism, security forces, crpf, india, news, politics
## Modi celebrates Diwali in Bastar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Chhattisgarh's Bastar region to celebrate Diwali with security forces on November eighth, twenty twenty-six, in an area once affected by Naxal terror.

> My brave soldiers, this time I have come to the land of Bastar to celebrate Diwali with all of you.
## Armed Naxals wiped out, Modi says
Modi declared that armed Naxals have been eliminated and that Naxal terror, which once wreaked havoc in Bastar, has now ended thanks to the sacrifices of security personnel.

> Naxal terror has ended here, and a new wave of development has begun.
## Naxalism once spread across India
Modi said more than two hundred thirty districts across nearly twenty states were once affected by Naxalism, where life came to a standstill after dark and people lost their right to vote.
## No CRPF deaths in past year
For the first time in forty-seven years, not a single CRPF jawan lost his life in the line of duty over the past year, Modi said, calling it a victory of the country's right policies.

> For the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF jawan lost his life in the line of duty over the past year.
## Fifty crore lifted from extreme poverty
Modi cited a World Bank report stating that over the past twelve years, fifty crore people in India have come out of extreme poverty, an achievement he said took decades of slogans to attempt.

> Over the past 12 years, 50 crore people in India have come out of extreme poverty.
## Modi makes veiled remark on protesters
In a veiled remark at protesters fighting for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, Modi said there is a need to save the country from what he called dimagi-Naxals.
## Centre declared Naxalism ended in March
On March thirty-first, twenty twenty-six, the Centre declared that the country had been freed from Naxalism after the elimination of several senior leaders and cadres and the surrender of hundreds of others.
## Modi continues Diwali tradition with soldiers
Modi said he would continue his tradition of celebrating Diwali with soldiers, extending greetings and wishing people peace, prosperity and happiness alongside the country's security personnel.
## Key takeaway

PM Modi celebrated Diwali with security forces in Bastar on November eighth, twenty twenty-six, declaring armed Naxalism defeated and calling for action against what he termed dimagi-Naxals.