‘Ideological Naxalism is more dangerous than armed Naxalism

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM Modi said, “In the 21st century, it is very important that we eliminate those decades-old challenges that have held the country back. Naxalism and Maoism have ruined the future of millions of young people. They snatched away the young sons of countless mothers and shattered the dreams of families across the country. For nearly four decades, Naxalism held large parts of India and a large section of its population in its grip, ruled by the force of the gun and trampled the Constitution. Today, the challenge of ideological Naxalism is more dangerous than armed Naxalism, and we must save the country from it.

PM Modi said, while protecting ordinary citizens, more than 3,500 of our police and security personnel lost their lives. Naxalism had turned the earth red with blood. When you gave us the opportunity to serve in 2014, we resolved that very day to free the country from Naxalism. Today, I am happy to say that Naxal and Maoist violence no longer has the strength to sustain itself and is in its final phase. We are moving forward towards eliminating it completely.

PM Modi said, “In areas where the bullets of Naxals once echoed, where the soil was once stained with blood, today in those same Naxal-affected areas, the tricolor of development, trust and effort is flying proudly, and they are moving towards becoming Naxalism-free.”

The PM said, “India has a stable political mandate, a stable government, a vibrant democracy, a strong judicial system and a Constitution that shows the way to all of us. The trade agreements we have recently signed are a big opportunity for us. I want to tell our MSMEs that we must not miss this opportunity. (updated on 15th August 2026)