Bastar's Turning Point: Bridging the Gap Between People and Governance
Ranjan 15 July 2025 RT 1.5
Having witnessed the rise and peak of Naxalism in Bastar, and with deep roots in Abujhmad by birth, coupled with extensive social and political engagement in the region,
I've maintained a long-standing connection with the area. During that time, I keenly observed the profound distrust local people harbored towards the government and its systems.
Outsiders were viewed with suspicion, and security forces were often perceived as adversaries.
The attached video captures a poignant moment: the farewell ceremony after a daughter's wedding. This event took place in the home village of a prominent Naxal leader, a place security forces once hesitated to enter.
My intention in saying "hesitated" isn't to suggest fear, but rather a lack of trust. The security forces simply hadn't earned the confidence of the local populace on the ground.
What makes this video truly remarkable is the spontaneous gathering of villagers, accompanying the newlywed couple to a nearby security camp to seek blessings from the security personnel and include them in their celebration.
This scene, emerging after decades of distrust and instability, is unprecedented.
I've always believed that while it's possible to establish order through force, it's impossible to make that order vibrant and living without genuine trust.
A system can only thrive when there's mutual trust between the rulers and the ruled.
This rare and beautiful occasion in Bastar is a testament to several crucial factors:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's distinct humanitarian approach towards Naxal-affected areas.
Home Minister Amit Shah's exceptionally sensitive humanistic vision.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai's meticulous efforts in implementing the Prime Minister and Home Minister's sensitive humanistic perspectives on the ground.
Most importantly, it's the joyful outcome of the tireless work of all police officers and brave security personnel deployed in the Bastar region, who have painstakingly woven the general public together with threads of trust.
Witnessing this video, I can confidently say that today's Bastar is returning to its former self – the Abujhmad full of trust that I left behind in my childhood.
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