“Bharat will be free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026. The fight against Naxalism will not end until Bharatiya society understands those who provide ideological, legal, and financial support to Naxalism. Internal security and the protection of the nation’s borders have always been a core part of our ideology. Three key objectives have been central to our party’s mission: internal and external security of the country, cultural nationalism, and the revival of all aspects of Bharatiya culture,” said Amit Shah, Home Minister, while addressing the valedictory session of ‘Bharat Manthan-2025: Naxal Mukt Bharat – Ending Red Terror Under Modi’s Leadership’ in New Delhi on September 28 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, organised by Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.
He further informed that 17 per cent of the country’s territory was encompassed by the Red Corridor, affecting a population of 120 million. Earlier, 10 per cent of the population was living under the scourge of Naxalism. Shah said that in comparison, the other two hotspots—Kashmir, with 1 per cent of the country’s territory affected by terrorism, and the North East, with 3.3 per cent of the territory grappling with unrest—were less extensive. He said that when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, the Modi Government began working on the three aspects of dialogue, security, and coordination. As a result, by March 31, 2026, armed Naxalism will be eradicated from the country.
There were a total of five sessions in this day-long conference. Before the inaugural session, “From Victim to Victor – Surviving and Defeating Maoist Terror”, Prof Yashpal extended a formal welcome to Murlidhar Rao, Senior BJP Leader, while Babulal Marandi, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, also graced the occasion.
Snigdha Reddy DK moderated the session titled “From Victim to Victor.” She noted that the discussion featured two distinguished leaders—Babulal Marandi Ji, whose own family had been victims of a terror attack, and Murlidhar Rao Ji. Their experiences and journeys were presented to the audience, underscoring the significant human cost of conflict and the resilience of communities affected by Naxal violence.
She posed her first question to Babulal Marandi, asking on what grounds the story of Naxalism had emerged and what its causes were. In response, Marandi explained that Naxalism was not only a matter of internal security but also carried a broader ideological goal. He highlighted how Naxals targeted regions deprived of development—areas lacking roads and electricity—where they exploited grievances by convincing people that corruption was the reason for the absence of progress even after decades of Independence. Murlidhar Rao, senior BJP leader, recounted an incident from 1996, highlighting the atmosphere of fear that prevailed at the time when even the police was apprehensive of Naxals. He recalled that there were concerns he might join another party, become an MLA, and later a minister, which made him a potential target due to his strong stance against Naxalism. The Superintendent of Police had cautioned him about the risks of opposing them. The second session titled “Countering the Red Corridor: Strategy Action and Narratives”, featured Kuldiep Singh, Former DG CRPF & Security Advisor, Government of Manipur and Praveen Vashishtha, IPS, Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA, Government of India. The session was moderated by Pathikrit Payne, Senior Research Fellow, SPMRF.
While addressing the gathering, Kuldiep Singh recounted 2010 incident in Chhattisgarh, pointing out that Bengal had been one of the initial centres of Naxal activity. He explained that during the second phase in 1991, when the government granted mining rights, Naxalism was still active in urban areas but gradually began to evolve into militarisation. Praveen Vashishtha addressed the session on the theme “Whole-of-Government Approach.” He underlined that countering Naxalism requires a multidimensional strategy comprising security measures, development initiatives, provision of entitlements, and perception management. He stressed the importance of reducing public grievances, generating employment opportunities, and neutralising criminal elements.
The third session titled “Securing a Naxal-Free Future” featured P. Sundarraj, IG (Naxals), Bastar, Chhattisgarh and Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi. The session was moderated by Abhishek Tandon, Associate Professor, University of Delhi P. Sundarraj highlighted that Bastar has over 60 per cent forest cover, with two-thirds of its population being tribal. He noted that while the region has been under discussion for years, it has undergone significant transformation, though attention remains focused on Bastar due to its unique challenges. The area’s dense forests and limited connectivity have been exploited by Naxals to mislead urban populations and target city residents. Prof. Yogesh Singh addressed the session on the topic “Why Campuses are the Target (Reference to Urban Naxals and Global Nexus Conspiracy).” He highlighted that in 2005, the film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi was shot at Hindu College and appeared to glorify Naxalism. He emphasised that such use of Bollywood and popular culture have been a tool to promote Naxalism.
In the session four, “Where were our Human Rights?” Filmmaker Vipul Shah, who directed a film on the Bastar Naxal story, shared his observations from the research conducted for the project. He noted that under the initiative of Amit Shah, developments that had not occurred over 60 to 70 years were achieved within just 10 years. He emphasised that when leaders not only think but also act decisively, transformative change becomes possible. Six victims of Naxal violence were invited to share their experiences, beginning with Umesh Kumar Panda Ji. He recounted that his father was taken into the forest and shot at a time when communication had been completely cut off. The family sought Government employment and a pension for their mother.
Binay Kumar Singh, Director, SPMRF, presented vote of thanks and concluded the session. He recalled, that in 1979, Vinod Kumar Jha, an ABVP member from Bihar studying at NIT Warangal (then Regional Engineering College), was brutally killed by Naxalites. The man behind his murder, Nambala Keshava Rao, also known by his alias Basavraju, was himself an alumnus of the same institution. Rao went on to become the General Secretary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), one of the most influential figures in India’s Naxalite movement, until his death in an encounter with security forces in May 2025. Many eminent personalities and security experts attended this one day event.
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