‘Naxalism is an ideology Indiraji embraced...’: Amit Shah attacks former PM, Congress
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress in the Lok Sabha, linking the roots of Naxalism to what he described as an ideological shift under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and accusing the party of decades of neglect of tribal regions.
Speaking during a discussion on Left-wing extremism, Shah said, "...The root cause of Naxalism is not the demand for development. It is an ideology—an ideology that Indira Ji embraced back in 1970 in order to win the presidential election. Naxalism has spread precisely because of this Leftist ideology."
He said the spread of Naxalism had once impacted 12 states—Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, parts of Karnataka, and districts of Uttar Pradesh—creating a “Red Corridor” where governance had collapsed. "Twelve crore people lived in poverty for years, and no one showed any concern. Thousands of young lives were lost. Many were left permanently disabled or crippled for the rest of their lives. Who is responsible for this?..." he asked.
Targeting the Congress’ long years in power, Shah said, "...Out of the 75 years since independence, power remained in your (Congress) hands for 60 years. Why, then, have the tribal communities remained deprived of development to this day? It is only now, with the arrival of Narendra Modi, that actual development is taking place. For sixty years, you failed to provide them with homes or access to clean water; you built no schools for them; you prevented mobile towers and banking facilities from reaching their areas, and yet, now you are the ones demanding accountability?..."
He also issued a stern warning to those supporting armed movements, stating, "To those who are acting as advocates for an armed movement, saying they fought against injustice. I ask: Will you respect the Constitution, or will you not?... This is the government of Narendra Modi. Anyone who takes up arms will be held accountable. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated..."
Highlighting the government’s efforts, Shah said Naxalism had been largely curbed in Bastar and development initiatives were now reaching the region. "Today, Naxalism has been almost eradicated from Bastar... Aadhaar cards and ration cards have been issued to the people, and they are now receiving five kilograms of food grains... The people of Bastar were left behind precisely because the shadow of 'Red Terror' loomed over the region; that is why development failed to reach them. Today, that shadow has been lifted, and Bastar is now on the path of development."