Amit Shah Inaugurates Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera in Bastar

Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah described Bastar as a sacred land of tribal resistance and sacrifice, saying the birthplace of Shaheed Veer Gundadhur is comparable to a pilgrimage site for every Indian citizen.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Jan Suvidha Kendra in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, marking what he described as a historic step in transforming former security camps into centres of tribal welfare, development, and public service delivery.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, and several senior officials and dignitaries.

The newly inaugurated facility in Netanar, Bastar, has been named after tribal freedom fighter Shaheed Veer Gundadhur, who led the historic Bhumkal Rebellion against British rule in 1910.

Amit Shah Calls Bastar a Symbol of Tribal Resistance and Sacrifice

Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah described Bastar as a sacred land of tribal resistance and sacrifice, saying the birthplace of Shaheed Veer Gundadhur is comparable to a pilgrimage site for every Indian citizen.

He said Gundadhur's leadership during the Bhumkal Rebellion represented one of the earliest tribal uprisings against colonial rule and became a symbol of resistance and self-respect for tribal communities.

"In 1910, our brave tribal leader Veer Gundadhur initiated the freedom struggle through the Bhumkal Rebellion and led the fight of Bastar's tribals against foreign rule," Shah said.

The Home Minister said the transformation of the Netanar security camp into a service-oriented public welfare centre reflects the government's commitment to replacing conflict with development and opportunity.

From Security Camp to Service Centre

Amit Shah noted that the Netanar camp had functioned as a security camp since 2013 during intense anti-Naxal operations in the region.

He recalled that the area once witnessed violence, including the killing of six police personnel, destruction of schools and hospitals, disruption of ration supplies, and obstruction of employment and education opportunities.

"This camp will now become a service camp and serve the tribals," Shah said.

He stated that the same location where security forces once fought insurgency will now become a centre dedicated to development and welfare services for local communities.

Government's Goal Beyond Ending Naxalism

The Home Minister stressed that the government's mission in Bastar is not limited to eliminating Naxalism but also ensuring that tribal communities receive the same opportunities and public services available in urban India.

"When we resolved to end Naxalism, our objective was not merely to eliminate the Naxals, but to ensure that all facilities available in big cities reach the poor tribals of this region," he said.

He said the government wants children in tribal villages to have access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and infrastructure that can secure a brighter future.

Niyad Nellanar Scheme Expanding Rural Services

Shah highlighted the Chhattisgarh Government's "Niyad Nellanar" scheme as a major initiative aimed at delivering basic services directly to remote tribal communities.

According to him, the programme includes:

• Affordable ration shops in villages

• Primary schools in every village

• Cluster Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Service Centres (CSCs)

• Drinking water supply projects

• Aadhaar card registration services

• Ration card distribution

He added that every eligible resident is receiving 7 kilograms of rice per month and that beneficiaries are also being covered under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's healthcare scheme offering free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh.

Shah Rejects Naxal Narrative on Underdevelopment

Amit Shah strongly rejected long-standing claims made by Naxal groups that underdevelopment in tribal areas justified armed insurgency.

"Naxals spread the misconception for decades that development did not happen here, therefore they picked up arms," he said.

"The truth is that this region did not develop because the Naxals had taken up arms."

The Home Minister argued that violence and insurgency prevented schools, hospitals, roads, and welfare schemes from reaching many parts of Bastar for decades.

He promised that the government would now accelerate development and bring the same level of infrastructure and services available in Raipur to remote tribal villages within the next year.

70 Security Camps to Become Tribal Service Centres

Amit Shah announced that out of approximately 200 camps currently operating in Bastar, around 70 would be converted into Seva Kendras (Service Centres) over the next one-and-a-half years.

These centres are expected to provide a wide range of public services, including:

• Banking facilities

• Aadhaar registration

• Ration card services

• Government scheme disbursements

• Access to Common Service Centres (CSCs)

Shah said people would be able to access benefits from 371 state and central government schemes at a single location.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to integrate tribal regions more closely into mainstream development systems.

Focus on Sports, Culture and Tribal Identity

The Home Minister also highlighted initiatives aimed at promoting tribal sports, culture, and identity in Bastar.

He said the government has launched the Bastar Olympics to encourage sporting talent among tribal youth and provide opportunities for participation and recognition.

Additionally, the "Bastar Pandum" initiative has been introduced to promote tribal literature, language, music, dance, art, and cuisine at national and international levels.

According to Shah, these programmes aim to preserve tribal heritage while creating opportunities for economic and cultural development.

"Sun of Independence" Has Finally Reached Bastar

In one of the most symbolic moments of his speech, Amit Shah said that although India gained independence in 1947, Bastar effectively began experiencing the true benefits of freedom only after March 31, 2026.

"This must be the day for which Shaheed Veer Gundadhur started the freedom movement," he said.

"While the country got independence in 1947, in Bastar the sun of independence has risen after 31 March 2026."

The Home Minister pledged that both the Central Government and the Chhattisgarh Government would work together to compensate for decades of underdevelopment and conflict in the region.

Government Promises Continued Development Push

Shah concluded by stressing that development can only succeed when violence and obstruction are replaced with peace, cooperation, and progress.

"Development is never achieved by stopping or obstructing development. Only when we give momentum to development will its benefits actually reach people," he said.

The inauguration of the Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Jan Suvidha Kendra is being viewed as part of the government's broader strategy to combine security operations with welfare delivery and economic development in Naxal-affected regions.

Officials say the initiative aims to create long-term stability by improving living conditions, strengthening governance, and expanding access to essential services for tribal communities across Bastar.