Srinagar, Mar 21: Reaffirming the government’s strong stance against terrorism and naxalism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday stated that extremist activities will be eradicated from India by March 2026.
While addressing the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Home Ministry’s work, Shah emphasised the Modi government’s commitment to national security. He identified terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, left-wing extremism, and insurgency in the Northeast as the country’s biggest challenges.
Shah pointed out that in the past four decades, nearly 92,000 civilians have lost their lives to terrorism, yet no previous government had adopted a structured approach to address it. “The Modi government has implemented a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and has taken decisive action,” he said.
He also highlighted significant improvements in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that civilian and security personnel casualties from terror incidents have dropped by 70%. Additionally, there have been no incidents of stone-pelting in the Kashmir Valley. Shah credited the abrogation of Article 370 for bringing stability to the region.
Regarding the revocation of Article 370, he explained that the provision, originally meant to be temporary, was prolonged for political reasons. “On August 5, 2019, Article 370 was revoked, fulfilling the vision of the Constitution’s architects. There cannot be two heads, two constitutions, and two flags in one country,” he asserted.
On the topic of development in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah mentioned that grassroots democracy had been strengthened through successful local body elections. He noted that between 2019 and 2024, the government had provided approximately 40,000 jobs, created 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities, and operationalised skilling clubs.
Turning to the Northeast, Shah observed that the region had entered a new phase of peace and development under the Modi government. “Since 2019, around 19 peace accords have been signed, leading to the surrender of nearly 10,000 militants,” he added.
Criticising previous administrations for failing to tackle Naxalism, Shah stressed that the current government has prioritised its eradication. “By March 2026, Naxalism will be completely eliminated from the country,” he concluded.
