Posting on X, PM Modi celebrated: ‘The Bastar Pandum festival beautifully displayed our tribal brothers and sisters’ rich traditions. My heartiest congratulations to everyone who made it possible.’ He stressed the event’s importance in safeguarding heritage while boosting community empowerment.

The Prime Minister drew a stark before-and-after picture. ‘Bastar used to be associated with Maoist terror and stagnation. Now, it shines with development and self-assured locals.’ His vision for the region: one of sustained peace, advancement, and cultural glory.

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah graced the occasion in Jagdalpur, handing out honors and engaging with tribals. ‘This is Bastar’s historic leap—from fear and violence to cultural promotion and becoming Viksit Bharat’s ambassador,’ he proclaimed.

Shah recounted the dark Naxal era: ‘For years, extremists shrouded Bastar in bombs and bloodshed. Today, under Modi’s guidance, its arts, food, and legacy are going global.’ He personally viewed captivating exhibits of tribal crafts and heritage at the Pandum.

‘Bastar Pandum reveals how determined leadership with clear policies achieves the extraordinary,’ Shah added. ‘A playful, thriving Bastar witnesses the shift from extremism to prosperity.’ This festival not only revived traditions but also signaled India’s broader fight against insurgency through inclusive growth.

Former minister and BJP leader Suresh Sharma, along with supporters, celebrated the news near the airport, distributing sweets to local residents and party workers. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also shared the information on social media, highlighting the project’s potential to boost development and connectivity in North Bihar through pre-fabricated steel structure construction. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar.

The establishment of the Muzaffarpur Airport provides an additional option for air travel within Bihar, creating a wave of optimism across North Bihar. The project is expected to foster educational, commercial, economic, and cultural activities. There’s a strong demand for air services in the Tirhut region. The initiative is expected to benefit not just business travelers but also tourists. The airport is anticipated to facilitate flights to several major cities soon.

Former minister Suresh Sharma described the development as historic for Muzaffarpur and the entire Tirhut region, fulfilling a long-standing public demand. He credited the collaborative efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for making this vision a reality.

Emphasizing a strict stance against the Naxals, the Home Minister asserted that security forces would give a befitting reply to those disrupting peace in Bastar through violence. He appealed to the tribal communities to persuade the youth in their villages to lay down their arms, join the mainstream, and contribute to Bastar’s development. Shah made it clear that the governments are dedicated to the development of Bastar and every Naxal-affected area and urged the Maoists to surrender, highlighting the attractive surrender policy. He warned that armed forces would strongly respond to any attempts to disturb the peace of Bastar through violence and reiterated the goal of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Shah criticized Naxalism for hindering development, stating that it prevented progress from reaching the tribal communities. He contrasted the situation with the advancements made in other areas of the country, such as electricity, water, roads, sanitation, health insurance, and subsidized food grains, while acknowledging that Bastar lagged behind due to Naxalism.

Shah assured the people of Bastar, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that Naxalism would not impede their development or rights after March 31st of the following year. He appealed to the people of Bastar to dissuade those who have been misguided by Naxalism, urging them to surrender and join the mainstream. He mentioned that the Chhattisgarh government has implemented the best surrender policy in the country, with over 500 people surrendering in a single month. He emphasized that no one benefits from Naxalism, and villages declared Naxal-free would receive one crore rupees from the Chhattisgarh government for their development.

Shah also shared that he had offered prayers at the Dantewari Mai temple in Jagdalpur, seeking blessings for the security forces to rid the entire Bastar region of ‘red terror’ by March 31, 2026. Before his address, the Home Minister visited the Dantewari temple for worship and participated in the traditional Muriya Darbar, held as part of the world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival. He interacted with priests and leaders of the tribal community during the Muriya Darbar.

Speaking at the Bastar Dussehra Lokotsav 2025 and Swadeshi Mela event held at Lalbagh Parade Ground in Jagdalpur, Amit Shah reiterated the resolve to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31st of the following year.

Shah, taking a stern stance on the Naxalites, stated that security forces would give a befitting reply to those disrupting peace in Bastar through violence. He appealed to the tribal communities, urging them to persuade the youth in their villages to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream, participating in the development of Bastar.

He made it clear that the governments, both in Chhattisgarh and at the center, are dedicated to the development of Bastar and all Naxal-affected areas. He emphasized the attractive surrender policy and urged them to surrender. Shah warned that if anyone tries to disrupt the peace of Bastar through violence, the armed forces will respond strongly, and Naxalism will be eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026.

Central Home Minister termed Naxalism as an impediment to development, stating that some people in Delhi had spread the misconception that Naxalism was a struggle for development. He clarified to the tribal communities that their development was hindered by Naxalism. He emphasized that now, every village in the country has access to electricity, drinking water, roads, toilets in every house, health insurance up to five lakh rupees, five kilograms of free rice, and arrangements to provide 3100 rupees per quintal for their paddy, but Bastar has lagged behind due to Naxalism.

Amit Shah announced that villages declared Naxal-free would receive one crore rupees for their development.

He assured that after March 31st of the next year, Naxalites will not be able to hinder development or rights, highlighting the work done and remaining to be done.

Appealing to the people of Bastar to distance themselves from Naxalism, Amit Shah urged them to persuade the misguided youth, who are from their own villages, to surrender their weapons and join the mainstream. He praised the Chhattisgarh government for establishing the best surrender policy in the country, with over 500 people surrendering in a month. He emphasized that no one benefits from Naxalism.

Additionally, Amit Shah visited the Dantewari temple in Jagdalpur for prayers and sought blessings from the goddess, praying for the strength of the security forces to free the entire Bastar region from the ‘red terror’ by March 31, 2026.

Prior to this, he participated in the traditional Muriya Darbar held as part of the world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival, where he interacted with priests and leaders from the tribal community.