Congress leaders responded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s accusation of nurturing Naxalism by citing instances of martyrdom within the party. Shah had accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of providing ideological support to Naxalites during a Lok Sabha address. Congress MP Imran Masood highlighted the sacrifices made by party leaders in Chhattisgarh due to Naxalism, particularly under the BJP’s rule at the time.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari echoed Masood’s sentiments, mentioning the sacrifice of party leader Vidya Charan Shukla in a Maoist attack in 2013. Tiwari emphasized that the Congress, known for its history of sacrifices, was now facing false accusations. He also stressed the harmful effects of communalism, comparing it to Naxalism and stating that the Congress would work towards eradicating both.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha criticized Amit Shah’s speech, calling it a simplified version of sociology and political economy. Jha accused Shah of engaging in a blame game, attributing it to his personality. Another RJD MP, Abhay Kushwaha, agreed with Shah on the reduction of Naxalism in the country but emphasized the need for continued development in Naxal-free areas. Kushwaha urged the government to focus on progress in these regions for sustained peace and growth.
In a recent address to the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah claimed that India had nearly eradicated Naxalism, with significant progress made in eliminating Maoist leadership structures by the government’s set deadline of March 31, 2026.
