Now Reading: PM Modi to celebrate Diwali with security forces in Bastar
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PM Modi to celebrate Diwali with security forces in Bastar
The Story in Brief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 8 November that he will celebrate Diwali with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, a region the government declared Naxal-free in May 2026. In a social media post, Modi said he was heading to Bastar to salute security personnel for their sacrifices and devotion, noting that development is now flourishing where Naxalism once held sway, the Indian Express reports.
The announcement follows Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma’s statement on 7 November that several Bastar villages will celebrate Diwali for the first time after the elimination of Naxal influence, as reported by newsriveting.com. Sharma also responded to Congress criticism, including Deepak Baij’s claim that Naxalism has not been fully eradicated, and defended the electoral roll revision process.
Separately, the Bastar Dussehra, a 75-day festival, culminated on 27 October 2026. A report by thefederal.com described rituals that invert institutional power, including a pre-pubescent girl from the Mirgin Mahara caste acting as the medium of Kachan Devi, whose blessing was required before district officials and royals could proceed with the festival.
Update, 8 November 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 8 November that he will celebrate Diwali with security forces in Bastar, as reported by the Indian Express. This adds a new development to the earlier reports on Bastar's Diwali celebrations and the Bastar Dussehra festival. The Indian Express also notes that the government declared the region Naxal-free in May 2026.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The new sources frame Bastar through two lenses: newsriveting.com gives Deputy CM Sharma’s pro-government account of Naxal elimination enabling Diwali celebrations and defends BJP actions, while the Indian Express neutrally reports PM Modi’s Diwali visit to security forces. Thefederal.com’s earlier cultural report on the Bastar Dussehra stands apart, focusing on tradition without political framing. The uniform element across Sharma’s and Modi’s statements is the government’s claim of a Naxal-free Bastar, which Congress leader Deepak Baij has contested, as noted by newsriveting.com. No source reports any independent verification of the Naxal-free declaration.
Coverage: 3 sources, 1 pro-government, 2 neutral
Sources (3): thefederal.com (neutral report), newsriveting.com (pro government), indianexpress.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
Update, 8 November 2026: further reports on this story from greaterkashmir.com, ndtv.com, news9live.com.
