Historic Flag Hoisting in Bastar: A New Era of National Pride

Flag Hoisting in Bastar: A First After Independence

Raipur, August 7 – For the first time since gaining independence, 92 villages in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, once considered a stronghold of Maoists, will hoist the national flag on August 15. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced this on Friday, detailing that the villages include 33 from Bijapur district, 50 from Sukma, and 9 from Narayanpur.

During a press conference at the BJP district office, Sharma highlighted that this will be the first national festival celebrated after the eradication of armed Maoists in the state on March 31. He emphasized that on August 15, there will not be a single village in Bastar where the tricolor will not be raised, nor where the Constitution of India will not be in effect. He stated that national festivals inspire patriotism among citizens, and the government is conducting an unprecedented campaign to spread this spirit of nationalism across all sections of society in Bastar.

Sharma noted that since the BJP came to power, the tricolor has been hoisted five times during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations in several remote villages from 2024 to 2026, marking a significant change as these areas had never witnessed such events post-independence. He reiterated that this Independence Day, the flag will be raised for the first time in 33 villages of Bijapur, 50 in Sukma, and 9 in Narayanpur. He clarified that regions previously notorious for Naxalite violence are now being connected to development and the national mainstream.

He mentioned that remote areas like Puvarti, Silger, Tekalgudam, Ranibodli, and Darbha will be linked through a tricolor campaign. Sharma explained that BJP and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha workers, along with local youth, will participate in motorcycle rallies throughout Bastar. He also shared that the youth wing and party members are visiting the homes of brave soldiers who lost their lives during anti-Naxal operations and peace restoration efforts in Bastar.

They are presenting flags to the families of martyrs and expressing gratitude through heartfelt conversations. Additionally, he mentioned plans to reach out to families affected by Maoist violence. On August 15, over 500 locations in the Bastar region, including schools, major intersections, and community buildings, will be named after martyrs from the nation and Chhattisgarh.

Sharma emphasized that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, significant strides have been made towards eradicating Naxalism in Bastar. The influence of anti-social and anti-national organizations that previously rejected the Constitution of India has now diminished. This August 15, the Constitution will be fully implemented in every village of the Bastar division, and the tricolor will proudly wave.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Saw stated that the BJP's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' and 'Tiranga Yatra' campaigns will serve as a grand and historic means to ignite patriotism, strengthen social harmony, and express gratitude to freedom fighters and nation builders. This year, on Republic Day, the tricolor was hoisted for the first time in 41 villages affected by Maoism in the Bastar region, including 13 in Bijapur, 18 in Narayanpur, and 10 in Sukma.

Just a few years ago, the banned CPI (Maoist) organization called for boycotting Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations, raising red and black flags to protest on these days.