Amit Shah Attends Bastar's Muria Darbar, Appeals for Naxal Surrender and Unveils Development Plan

A Visit of Historical and Cultural Significance

Amit Shah's participation in the Muria Darbar, a central ritual of the 75-day-long Bastar Dussehra festival, was itself a historic event. He is the first Union Minister ever to attend this centuries-old tribal council.

His visit began with prayers at the Maa Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur, the presiding deity of Bastar. The Muria Darbar is a traditional forum where tribal community representatives, known asMajhis,Chalkis, andMurias, present their grievances and suggestions to the administration.

Key Announcements and Welfare Initiatives

The Home Minister made several key announcements and launched welfare measures aimed at accelerating development in the region.

Direct Benefit Transfer: Shah digitally transferred ₹606.94 crore to the bank accounts of 6.5 million women beneficiaries under the state's 'Mahtari Vandan Yojana'. This 20th installment of the scheme also included 4,000 newly-added women from five districts in the Bastar division.

 Appeal to Naxalites: He reiterated the government's appeal for Naxalites to surrender, promising a "red carpet" welcome for those who lay down their arms. This message was reinforced by the recent surrender of 103 Naxalites in Bijapur just a day before his visit, a record-breaking event that signals a shifting landscape.

 Focus on Development: While a specific year-bound promise for schools and electricity in every village was not repeated in the English reports, his speeches emphasized the government's focused approach on tribal welfare and inclusive development to bring peace and prosperity to Bastar.

The Security Context: 'Mission 2026'

The cultural visit was set against the backdrop of the government's intensified efforts to resolve the long-standing Naxal issue. The Centre has set a target to eliminate the Maoist insurgency by March 2026.

Official data indicates significant progress, with over 1,500 Naxalites having surrendered in the Bastar division alone in the last 11 months. In addition to surrenders, security forces have also neutralized several top Naxal leaders in recent months.

Amit Shah's visit to Bastar successfully blended cultural respect with administrative resolve, honoring tribal traditions while advancing the government's agenda of development and security in the region.