New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of promoting the “urban Naxal ecosystem” in the country during its rule. This ecosystem, according to Modi, had captured institutions and consistently attempted to cover up Maoist terror.

“Those who flaunt copies of the Constitution continue to shelter Maoist terror,” the Prime Minister said at the NDTV World Summit on Friday evening, accusing the opposition of double standards. He refrained from naming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who is seen carrying a copy of the Constitution.

Maoist violence and its sympathisers have caused grave harm to the country, Modi said. “Thousands have lost their lives due to them — they are doing a great disservice to the nation,” he said at the event, attended by several world leaders.

It was his government’s sustained efforts since 2014 that drastically reduced the spread of Naxal violence across India, the PM said.

“The number of Maoist-affected districts has dropped from 125 to just 11,” he said, crediting the security forces and developmental push in affected regions.

The government launched a massive crackdown against Maoists since 2024 and set March 2026 as the target to end Left Wing Extremism in the country. On Thursday, Union home minister Amit Shah declared the Abujhmarh hilly forest area in Chhattisgarh’s north Bastar Naxal-free after the surrender of 170 Maoists.

The Prime Minister also said that a self-reliant India will no longer remain silent. “Now, the self-reliant India does not stay silent, it gives a befitting response through surgical strikes, airstrikes and Operation Sindoor. During Covid, when everyone was thinking about how this country will save itself, India proved every assumption wrong. We defeated the challenge and became the fastest-growing economy,” he said.

“The day is not far when India will be totally free from Naxalism and Maoist violence — this too is Modi’s guarantee,” he said.

The Prime Minister went on to say that many areas that were once under Naxal influence will celebrate Diwali for the first time in six-seven decades.

“In the last 75 hours alone, 303 Naxals have surrendered. A huge cache of ammunition has been recovered from those who once flaunted their .303 rifles,” he added.