Amit Shah rules out talks with Maoists, tells them to give up arms, join mainstream

STATE TIMES NEWS

HYDERABAD: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday ruled out any talks with Maoists and said the cadre of the proscribed outfit should give up arms, surrender before police, and join the mainstream.
Addressing a rally after inaugurating the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad in Telangana, Shah also said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is still raising questions on Operation Sindoor, should see the weak appearance of Pakistan to understand the effectiveness of the Operation.
“Congress asks (the Centre) to hold discussions with these people (Maoists). Our government’s policy is ‘no talks’ with those who hold arms. Give up weapons, surrender, and join the mainstream,” Shah said.
He further said that about 10,000 people in the Northeast gave up weapons and joined the mainstream.
They even contested elections held for positions ranging from the Taluk level to state assemblies. Similarly, more than 2,000 Maoists have surrendered in the past one and a half years. “Give up weapons and surrender. If you don’t surrender, we have decided that before 31 March 2026, Naxalism will be finished in this country,” the Home Minister said.
He said 40,000 people lost their lives since about four decades in Naxal violence in Adivasi regions. Many Adivasis lost their limbs or even their lives, he said.
Those who talk in favour of Naxalism, what would they reply to the family members of Adivasis and security personnel who lost their lives in Maoist violence, he asked.
He said he fears that Congress should not give shelter in Telangana to Naxals who are on the run across the country.
However, there is no need to worry as the Modi government is in power at the Centre, he said.
He told Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy that he should not allow the state to become the den of Naxalites.
“He (Reddy) may do anything. But, I say again. We will finish Naxalism from the entire country by March 31, 2026,” he said.
Shah asserted that the Centre gave a firm reply to the three major terror attacks in the country during the last 11 years.
He said surgical strikes were carried out after the Uri terror incident, while air strikes were conducted after the Pulwama terror attack.
Now, after the Pahalgam terror incident, a reply was given by “breaking into the house” of Pakistan, he said.
After the Pahalgam attack, PM Modi had said that a lesson would be taught, and Pakistan was then issuing a nuclear bomb threat. Congress was thinking that nothing would happen, he said.
However, the brave soldiers of the country’s armed forces destroyed the headquarters of terror outfits (in Pakistan), he said.
“Even today, Rahul Gandhi keeps asking some or other questions. Rahul Baba, what kind of proof are you asking for? See Pakistan’s (bad) situation, then you will understand,” he mocked.
After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the security of the country was strengthened, he said, alleging that it was neglected during the previous Congress rule.
Attacking the ruling Congress and BRS in Telangana, he alleged that the Congress government has not taken any action as per law against the corruption allegations against the previous BRS regime vis-a-vis the Kaleshwaram project, Dharani land portal, and others.
Telangana, which was once the “ATM of BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao” has now become the ATM of “Congress in Delhi”, he alleged.
The same corruption and the same talk in defence of Naxals is going on, he charged.
Shah, who called for making the BJP assume power in the state, said only a double-engine government of PM Modi can ensure the welfare and progress of Dalits, backward classes, farmers, adivasis, women, and youth in the state.
The Union Home Minister highlighted the pro-farmer measures of the NDA government, such as the transfer of Rs 6,000 into farmers’ bank accounts under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.