Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali on November 8, 2026, with security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, marking the festival in an area where Naxalism once held sway and now, development is flourishing.
Addressing the troops at a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Karanpur, Mr Modi declared that every district in the country is now free from Naxalism.
The Prime Minister contrasted the current security landscape with past years, noting that between 2004 and 2013, the annual number of martyred security personnel exceeded the number of Naxalites killed, according to DD News.
He asserted that previous administrations treated the insurgency as an incurable disease
rather than tackling it with adequate political will. For the first time in 47 years, he added, not a single CRPF jawan lost his life on duty over the past year.
During his address, Mr Modi expressed gratitude to every personnel of the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, IRB, state police forces, Bastar Fighters, and special forces, including women commandos. He recalled that at one point, more than 230 districts across nearly 20 states were affected by Naxalism, impacting large parts of the country including Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
He highlighted that over the past twelve years, the country has also made significant progress in lifting 50 crore people out of extreme poverty while bringing Naxal violence to an end.
The visit follows a video message shared on November 7, 2026, where the Prime Minister told citizens that This festival of light is a reflection of our resolve against darkness.
Mr Modi has maintained an annual tradition of spending Diwali with security forces since 2014.
His visits have included Rajouri along the Line of Control in 2019, Longewala in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer in 2020, Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir in 2021, Kargil in 2022, Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh in 2023, Sir Creek in Gujarat’s Kutch in 2024, and aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the Goa-Karwar coast in 2025.
Political reactions to the holiday address quickly followed. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the Prime Minister for introducing political attacks during a festive visit, objecting on X to the use of the term Dimagi Naxals
and recalling past political disputes over farm laws and census debates.
Across the country, leaders extended festive wishes for the five-day celebration, which began with Dhanteras on November 6 and Choti Diwali on November 7, followed by Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja on November 10, and Bhai Dooj on November 11. President Droupadi Murmu issued greetings to citizens in India and abroad, emphasizing the cultural significance of Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya.
Union leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan likewise extended greetings wishing citizens peace, good health, and prosperity.