Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed security personnel in Bastar’s Karanpur camp this Diwali, delivering a powerful message: though armed Maoist insurgents have been eliminated from India’s forests, the ideological battle continues. According to Modi, “Dimagi Naxals”—a term he used to denote those supporting the insurgency’s ideas without wielding weapons—now pose a significant threat by infiltrating political parties and organisations across the country.
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## The Armed Threat Suppressed, Yet Former Echoes Persist
India officially declared on **March 31, 2026**, that the long-standing armed Maoist insurgency had ended, following the elimination of senior cadres and leaders, and the surrender of hundreds more.
During his Bastar visit, Modi celebrated what he called a historic achievement: this Diwali is the *first time in 47 years* that not a single CRPF personnel died in line-of-duty operations over the past year.
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## Who Are the “Dimagi Naxals”?
Modi described “Dimagi Naxals” as ideological supporters who, while not taking up arms, continuously work to destabilise democratic institutions. He accused them of inciting citizens against the Constitution and of infiltrating political parties and various organisations.
“It is not just armed Naxals that have disappeared,” he said. “These ‘Dimagi Naxals’ are occupying organisations, inciting people, and undermining democracy.”
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## Foundations of Victory: Security Measures & Strategic Shifts
Modi credited recent successes in combating Left-Wing Extremism to:
– Strong political resolve and strategic policy decisions by his government.
– Disrupting financial networks supporting Maoists and separatist groups.
– Granting security forces the autonomy to act decisively. Modi accused previous administrations of tying their hands.
He also emphasized that the government did more than focus on military action. Development efforts played a key role in regaining public trust in areas hit hardest by violence.
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## Remembering the Scale of Conflict
Modi recounted the gravity of Naxal violence:
– Over **230 districts across nearly 20 states** had been affected by Left-Wing Extremism at one point.
– In Chhattisgarh alone, more than **1,000 security personnel** were killed during the decades-long struggle. Many lost limbs due to explosive devices.
– Attacks such as the **Dantewada massacre in April 2010**, where 76 CRPF personnel died, and other assaults claiming civilians’ lives, serve as reminders of the violence endured.
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## Diwali in Bastar: Symbolism & Resilience
Celebrating Diwali in Bastar held special significance this year. Modiji noted that people no longer live in fear—instead of ceilings burning, doors opening in lockdown; instead of ambushes, lights ablaze in development.
He highlighted infrastructure achievements: over **15,000 km of roads** built in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas; more than **9,500 mobile towers** installed. Education has also seen progress with **175 Eklavya residential schools**, and about **50 industrial training centres** and skill development centres established.
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## Warning Against Complacency
Despite the victories, Modi urged vigilance. He stressed that eliminating armed fighters is only half the battle—defying the spread of hostile ideology is vital for safeguarding democracy.
Turned into quotes:
– *“Naxalites have been eliminated, but the threat is not yet over.”*
– *“We must identify and defeat ‘Dimagi Naxals’ and ensure the security of the nation.”*
He argued that this ideological front now operates not with guns in the forest, but with words in halls of power.
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## Looking Beyond Arms to Ideas
Modi underscored that protecting democracy demands more than defeating the armed insurgents:
– Reinforcing constitutional values and democratic norms.
– Ensuring that citizens in formerly conflict-ridden regions benefit from education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
– Remaining alert to ideological threats that leverage political systems for destabilization.
The battle with “Dimagi Naxals,” as Modi frames it, is just beginning—a struggle over hearts, minds, and allegiances rather than territories alone.
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