No talks with Maoists as long as they carry arms: Union Minister Amit Shah
HYDERABAD: Reiterating that the Union government was committed to ending Naxalism by March 31, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday urged Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream. He categorically stated that the Centre would not hold talks with those who continue to bear arms.
'Our policy is no talks with those who have arms in their hands. Give up arms and surrender. If you do not surrender, we have decided to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Should we not end the Naxalites who have killed adivasis and police personnel?' Shah said.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the National Turmeric Board headquarters in Nizamabad, the Union home minister said that while he 'feared that the Congress might provide shelter to Maoists, there was no cause for concern as Narendra Modi was in power at the Centre'.
'The Congress is asking for talks with Maoists. Our government's policy is clear — no talks with those who hold weapons. Surrender and join the mainstream,' he said.
Shah noted that in the Northeast, 10,000 individuals had surrendered and joined the mainstream, with some contesting elections at district and Assembly levels. 'In the last one-and-a-half years, around 2,000 Maoists surrendered,' he added.
'From Telangana's soil, I want to ask those who speak of protecting Naxals: What answer will you give to the families of police personnel and adivasis who lost their lives in Naxal violence? Naxals have obstructed development in adivasi areas for decades. What is your answer?' he asked.
Shah accused the BRS of indulging in massive corruption during its 10-year rule. He alleged irregularities in Dharani, Kaleshwaram, Singareni and other projects, and questioned whether Chief Minister
A Revanth Reddy initiated even one case against those involved.
Shah claimed that the family of former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao used Telangana as an 'ATM' and alleged that the state has now become an 'ATM for the Delhi Congress'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Surjewala visits state to collect money: Ravi
Udupi/Shivamogga: MLC alleged that Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, visited the state not to listen to people's problems but to collect money. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Giving money is a Congress tradition. During the Mughal rule, there was a system of giving money. If the Congress high command is not paid, those in power lose their positions. To stay in power, money must be given, and he toured the state for that purpose. The people will teach Congress leaders a proper lesson," Ravi said on Monday. Regarding Eshwarappa joining BJP, Ravi said he would not comment on someone who was expelled from BJP. Ravi also said there needs to be research on the increasing heart attacks in the state. "Whether it is due to lifestyle, food habits or mental stress, scientific research is necessary. When a mother or infant dies, the health minister is not bothered. Politics should be set aside, and a team of experts should be formed to conduct research and provide a report," Ravi said. On the BJP state president's post, the MLC said the position is not vacant in the state. Ravi also stated that he is not aspiring for any position. Eshwarappa challenges Siddaramaiah on Constitution Former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa on Monday challenged CM Siddaramaiah over Constitution. "We should not deviate from the original preamble of the Constitution. Incorporating the terms secular and socialist was inappropriate," he said. Eshwarappa directed three queries to Siddaramaiah: "Who added the words 'secular' and 'socialist' to the Constitution, and when? Did Indira Gandhi add these words during the Emergency?" Eshwarappa said the RSS does not control BJP's decisions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The expelled BJP leader said people from various castes asking him to join the saffron party. "I need to speak with many BJP leaders, and then I'll consider joining the party. I won't join any other party apart from the BJP. Other parties are making offers, saying 'bring your son, what do you need, what should we give your son,'" he claimed.
The Hindu
21 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Congress workers hurl water bottle at Assam CM's convoy
Congress workers allegedly hurled a water bottle at the convoy of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma in Golaghat district on Monday (June 30, 2025). The Chief Minister was on an official visit to the eastern Assam district. Also Read | Beef being 'weaponised' against Hindus, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Mr. Sarma later told journalists that local Congress workers resorted to hurling the water bottle to impress their leaders in Guwahati. 'It would have been better had the bottle hit me,' he said. Sharing the incident on X, Information Minister Pijush Hazarika posted: 'This is how @INCAssam tried to sabotage democracy in Assam. Today, their goons attacked the Chief Minister of Assam with bottles; tomorrow, these same goons will launch grenades? These cowards will not be spared — both electorally and legally. Mark my word @GauravGogoiAsm.' This is how @INCAssam tried to sabotage democracy in Assam. Today their goons attacked the Chief Minister of Assam with bottles, tomorrow these same goons will launch grenades ? These cowards will not be spared - both electorally and legally. Mark my word @GauravGogoiAsm, — Pijush Hazarika (@Pijush_hazarika) June 30, 2025 The Bharatiya Janata Party said the condemnable incident exposed the growing frustration within the Congress. The BJP's Assam unit president, Dilip Saikia, said everyone had the right to protest peacefully in a democracy. 'But, when a protest turns violent, it only reflects the deep frustration of the party involved. Such behaviour is dangerous for democracy,' he said. He asked how the Congress leadership could dream of forming a government 'with such a mindset'.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Government to roll out 20-year cooperative policy; aims 2 lakh PACS by February 2026: Amit Shah
India to launch 20-year national cooperative policy: Amit Shah NEW DELHI: In a sweeping reform aimed at reviving India's cooperative movement and boost employment, Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah on Monday announced that the National Cooperative Policy 2025–2045 will be unveiled soon, to establish at least one cooperative in every Indian village within the next five years. Speaking at a high-level meeting of state cooperation ministers during the celebrations marking the upcoming International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, Shah said the policy will play a critical role in transforming the cooperative sector into a major economic pillar that empowers India's 1.4 billion citizens. "Under the National Cooperative Policy, each state's cooperative policy will be formulated according to the cooperative conditions of that state and specific goals will be set," Shah said. Policy push for 2 lakh new PACS by 2026 A central focus of the upcoming policy is the creation of 2 lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) by February 2026. These grassroots institutions, Shah said, are essential for ensuring financial access and agricultural support in rural areas. He set a January 31, 2026, deadline for all states to announce their individual cooperative policies aligned with the national vision. Shah cited three main reasons behind the weakening of the cooperative movement in India: laws were not changed over time, cooperative activities were neither expanded nor adapted with time, and recruitments were based on nepotism. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo To address these challenges, Shah highlighted the creation of Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU) — a first-of-its-kind institution aimed at building skilled manpower for the cooperative sector. Strengthening cooperative banks and credit societies Urban cooperative banks and credit societies also came under the spotlight. Shah noted that bringing these banks under the Banking Regulation Act and ensuring more oversight by the Reserve Bank of India has already led to the resolution of key issues. Natural farming and inter-cooperative models Shah called on state cooperation ministers to work in sync with agriculture departments to promote natural and organic farming. He cited Gujarat's "Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives' model as a successful case study, encouraging its replication nationwide. Shah also praised the PM Modi government's achievements from 2014 to 2024, highlighting how basic needs like housing, water, and food were met, and how the next step is to empower people as entrepreneurs through cooperatives. What else was discussed The day-long meeting also focused on: Multi-Purpose PACS (M-PACS) to diversify rural cooperative activities. Promotion of dairy and fisheries cooperatives. Rollout of the world's largest grain storage scheme in the cooperative sector. Review of three new national multi-state cooperative societies: National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL) National Cooperative Organic Limited (NCOL) Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) Plans for white revolution 2.0. Digitisation and computerisation of PACS and Registrar of Cooperative Societies offices. In the bigger picture With India set to chair the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the upcoming National Cooperative Policy is expected to redefine the role of cooperation in economic development, aiming to make villages the new engines of prosperity through bottom-up empowerment.
