India Nearly Naxal-Free, Says Amit Shah In Parliament

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared in Lok Sabha on Monday that India has achieved its March 31, 2026 deadline to become almost Naxal-free, while accusing the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh of shielding Maoists. The statement drew sharp responses from former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, who termed the allegations a “blatant lie.”

Deadline Achieved

Shah informed the House that the government’s three-year target to eliminate left-wing extremism now stands fulfilled. “With full confidence, we can say that Naxalism has been eradicated from the country,” he said during a nearly 90-minute address. Official data presented by the Home Minister showed that 706 Naxals have been killed in the last three years, while over 4,800 cadres have surrendered under rehabilitation programmes.

Shah’s Accusations

The Home Minister specifically targeted the previous Congress administration in Chhattisgarh for delaying anti-Naxal operations. He alleged that between 2019 and 2023, the state government deliberately protected Maoists, preventing security forces from acting on intelligence inputs. “The Congress government in Chhattisgarh kept Naxals safe,” Shah asserted, claiming that operations gained momentum only after the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state in December 2023.

Ask Bhupesh Baghel’

In a dramatic exchange, Shah dared the opposition to demand proof. “Ask Bhupesh Baghel – should I present the evidence here? Say yes, or you will be trapped,” he said, referring to three specific dates – August 20, 2019, August 24, 2024, and March 31, 2026 – when key security meetings were held. He added that delays occurred because Chhattisgarh then had a Congress government.

Congress Government Blamed

Shah also criticised the Congress for what he called 60 years of neglect. “Seventy years – 60 were under Congress rule. Why didn’t you develop these areas?” he asked. He recalled former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s admission that Maoists were India’s biggest internal security threat. Shah further rejected comparisons between Naxals and freedom fighters Bhagat Singh or Birsa Munda, calling it “folly” to equate Constitution-violating armed insurgents with those who fought the British.

Baghel’s Sharp Rebuttal

Responding swiftly on social media, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel dismissed Shah’s claims as “absolutely false.” He challenged the Centre to make public any evidence of his government shielding Maoists. “If there were objections or proof, why was it not revealed earlier?” Baghel asked. He maintained that his administration had continuously conducted operations, setting up security camps deep in Bastar’s remote areas – camps he said made today’s successes possible.

Political Row Intensifies

Baghel accused the Home Minister of politicising a sensitive national security issue. “My party has lost senior leaders to Naxal violence. This should not be about political mudslinging,” he said, urging a focus on facts rather than allegations. The Congress has demanded that Shah produce documented proof of his claims in Parliament.

What Next

Officials indicate that security forces will now focus on the two remaining Naxal-affected districts to achieve complete eradication. The government plans to intensify development work in Bastar, including schools, health centres and ration shops in every village. As per latest updates, rehabilitation of surrendered Maoists will continue, while operations against holdout cadres will persist. The political debate over the Congress’s role is likely to continue, with Baghel insisting that his government’s contribution to anti-Naxal efforts cannot be erased.