Jagdalpur/Raipur, November 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated Diwali with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, marking the 13th consecutive year that he has spent the festival with members of the armed forces or security forces. This year's celebration carried special significance as the Prime Minister described it as the first Diwali following the elimination of Naxalism from the country's districts.
Modi visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Bastar district, a facility that served as a training centre and launchpad for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad. These areas were once considered major strongholds of Maoist insurgency.
Addressing the personnel stationed at the base, the Prime Minister said he had come to the forests of Bastar on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians to express the nation's gratitude for their courage, sacrifices and commitment to service.
He said millions of people across India and the world were celebrating the festival of lights with their families, but he had chosen to spend the occasion with security personnel because they were an integral part of his family.
“Today, millions of Indians are joyfully observing the revered festival of lights throughout the nation and across the globe. People are travelling from distant places to reunite with their families. This is a wonderful occasion for loved ones to come together and celebrate. I have also come here to join you in the Diwali festivities,” Modi said.
Referring to personnel guarding the country's borders and maintaining internal security, he described them as the courageous sons and daughters of Mother India.
“Every soldier is a part of my family,” he said, reiterating his personal association with security personnel and acknowledging their contribution to protecting the country.
PM describes Diwali 2026 as historic
The Prime Minister described Diwali 2026 as a historic occasion, linking the celebrations to what he called a major achievement in India's decades-long fight against Naxalism and Maoist violence.
“This is the first Diwali since the nation achieved victory in the decades-long struggle against Naxalism and Maoist terror. This is the first Diwali where every single district in the country is free from Naxalism,” he said.
Modi said millions of citizens had overcome the fear of Naxal violence and described the development as a significant national achievement. He credited security personnel with a substantial share of the success, recognising their determination and sacrifices during operations in difficult conditions.
Recalling Bastar's troubled past, he said the region had once been severely affected by Naxal violence. However, the sustained efforts and sacrifices of security forces had helped eliminate the threat and create conditions for a new phase of development.
Internal security crucial for national strength
Emphasising the importance of internal security, Modi said a strong internal security framework was essential for safeguarding the country against external threats.
“When a nation's internal security is robust, external adversaries cannot succeed; conversely, when internal security weakens, external threats begin to emerge,” he said.
He stressed that the role of security forces operating within the country was as important as that of armed forces protecting India's international borders.
The Prime Minister also extended Diwali greetings to security personnel deployed across the country, saying millions of citizens took pride in their service and the personal sacrifices they made to safeguard India's unity and integrity.
13th consecutive Diwali with security forces
Sunday's visit marked the 13th consecutive year that Modi celebrated Diwali with defence or security personnel.
Last year, he celebrated the festival with naval personnel aboard INS Vikrant in Goa. Between 2014 and 2025, he marked Diwali with soldiers on 12 occasions, visiting several border areas and strategically important locations.
Jammu and Kashmir featured most frequently among these visits, with three trips, while Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh were visited twice each.
The Prime Minister's visit to Bastar brought attention to the contribution of security personnel in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism and the changing security situation in the region. It also highlighted the government's focus on recognising the sacrifices of those serving on the frontlines of internal security.
By celebrating Diwali with CoBRA personnel in an area once affected by Maoist insurgency, Modi sought to underline the significance of their role in restoring security and creating an environment conducive to development.
