Amit Shah attacks Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha over alleged pro-Naxal slogan repost, accusing Congress of supporting extremism. Debate highlights past UPA policies, Dantewada massacre, and Modi government’s zero-tolerance strategy against Maoist insurgency in India.
In a fiery address in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and the Indian National Congress of fostering and sympathizing with Naxalism in India. The remarks came during a debate focused on the eradication of left-wing extremism, a long-standing internal security challenge.
The Union Home Minister sharply criticised Rahul Gandhi for allegedly reposting a controversial slogan associated with Naxal sympathisers: “Tum kitne Hidma maroge, ghar ghar se Hidma niklega.” The slogan surfaced following the neutralisation of Hidma, a notorious Maoist commander who had been absconding for years and carried a bounty for his alleged involvement in the killing of 172 security personnel.
Shah described the slogan as provocative and deeply disrespectful to the sacrifices made by India’s security forces. He alleged that such actions reflect a pattern of ideological leniency towards extremist elements within sections of the opposition.
Allegations of Historical Links
Expanding his criticism, Amit Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of maintaining proximity to individuals with alleged links to Naxal ideology. He cited a 2010 incident in Odisha where Gandhi reportedly shared a platform with tribal activist Lado Sikaka, who allegedly delivered an inflammatory speech and publicly honoured him.
Shah also referred to a 2018 meeting in Hyderabad between Rahul Gandhi and Gummadi Vittal Rao, popularly known as Gaddar, who was widely seen as being ideologically aligned with Maoist movements. According to Shah, such interactions raise serious concerns about the Congress party’s stance on internal security.
Criticism of UPA-Era Policies
The Home Minister extended his attack to policies implemented during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He criticised the formation of the National Advisory Council, alleging that it included individuals with indirect associations to Naxalite networks.
Shah further pointed to the controversial appointment of Binayak Sen, who had been convicted in a Naxal-related case in 2010, to the Planning Commission’s Health Steering Committee. He also mentioned a letter written by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh advocating the release of Mahesh Raut, an individual later arrested in a Maoist-linked case.
According to Shah, such decisions sent a “dangerous signal” that weakened the fight against extremism. He also criticised the Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship scheme, claiming that it inadvertently benefited individuals later found to have connections with Naxal activities.
Revisiting Dantewada Massacre
Amit Shah revisited the tragic 2010 Dantewada massacre, where 76 CRPF personnel were killed in an ambush during the tenure of then Home Minister P Chidambaram. He described the attack as one of the deadliest assaults on Indian security forces.
The Home Minister also made controversial claims regarding alleged celebrations by certain groups at Jawaharlal Nehru University following the incident, stating that such actions demoralised the armed forces and were not adequately condemned by the then Congress leadership.
Shah expressed strong disapproval of what he termed a “soft approach” towards Naxalism under previous governments. He criticised remarks attributed to Chidambaram, suggesting that the government at the time was reluctant to push for disarmament of Naxal groups.
Government’s Zero-Tolerance Policy
Contrasting past policies with the present, Amit Shah highlighted the Narendra Modi-led government’s “zero-tolerance” stance on Naxalism. He asserted that a combination of aggressive security operations, technological interventions, and developmental initiatives in tribal regions has significantly weakened Maoist networks.
According to Shah, India is now on the brink of eliminating left-wing extremism, with key leadership structures dismantled and a growing number of surrenders reported in recent years.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of security personnel who lost their lives in anti-Naxal operations and called for political unity to eradicate the threat completely.
Call for National Consensus
In his concluding remarks, the Home Minister urged all political parties to rise above partisan differences and support the national mission to eliminate Naxalism. He stressed that internal security should remain above political rivalry and called for a unified approach to safeguard the country’s integrity.
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