CM Dhami Shares PM Modi's Diwali Address to Bastar Jawans
Synopsis
On Diwali 2026, PM Narendra Modi addressed security force personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, continuing his tradition of boosting jawan morale in Left Wing Extremism-affected zones during festivals. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami shared the live broadcast on X.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi delivered a live Diwali address to security force jawans stationed in Bastar, Chhattisgarh on November 8, 2026 .
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami shared the live broadcast link on X, extending the reach of the address.
Bastar is a high-priority zone for Indian security forces due to sustained Left Wing Extremism activity.
PM Modi has a documented practice of addressing paramilitary personnel in insurgency-affected areas during major festivals to boost morale.
The gesture aligns with the central government's broader policy focus on internal security and counter-insurgency efforts in central India.
On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a live address to security force personnel deployed in Bastar, Chhattisgarh — one of India's most demanding internal-security postings — as Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami amplified the broadcast on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
A Diwali tradition in one of India's toughest postings
Bastar has long been the heartland of Left Wing Extremism in central India, and the jawans stationed there routinely spend festivals away from their families, manning forward positions in difficult terrain. Prime Minister Modi has maintained a consistent practice of visiting or addressing paramilitary personnel in insurgency-affected zones during Diwali — a gesture designed to signal that the nation's attention travels with its forces even when headlines do not.
Sharing the live broadcast link, CM Dhami framed the address in a post that read 'Diwali ke pavan avsar par aadarniya Pradhanmantri Shri Narendra Modi ji ka Chhattisgarh ke Bastar mein suraksha balon ke jawanon ko sambodhan' — ('On the holy occasion of Diwali, the honourable Prime Minister's address to security force jawans in Bastar, Chhattisgarh'). The broadcast was aired live on the official platform.
Why Bastar, why Diwali
The choice of Bastar as the venue is deliberate and carries strategic weight. The district sits at the core of the so-called Red Corridor, where security forces have sustained years of counter-insurgency pressure. Central government morale initiatives — especially during major festivals — are part of a broader policy of acknowledging sacrifice while keeping operational momentum. For the jawans, a direct word from the Prime Minister on Diwali night is as much about recognition as it is about resolve.
CM Dhami's decision to amplify the broadcast reflects a wider BJP political culture of visibly associating with armed-forces welfare, connecting Uttarakhand — a state with one of the highest per-capita military enlistment rates in the country — to the moment.
Point of View
The gesture carries both operational symbolism and political intent, projecting command-level solidarity with ground-level personnel. CM Dhami's amplification of the broadcast extends that signal from Uttarakhand, a state with deep military roots and a large population of service families. Taken together, the optics constitute a soft but pointed statement on who the government considers its Diwali constituency.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi address security forces in Bastar on Diwali 2026?
PM Modi addressed security forces in Bastar to boost the morale of jawans deployed in one of India's most active Left Wing Extremism zones, continuing a practice of acknowledging security personnel who spend festivals on duty away from their families.
What is the significance of Bastar for Indian security forces?
Bastar district in Chhattisgarh is a focal point of Left Wing Extremism operations in India, requiring permanent deployment of paramilitary and state police units in challenging terrain.
Why did CM Dhami share PM Modi's Bastar address?
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami shared the live broadcast on X to amplify the Prime Minister's message, in keeping with the BJP's visible emphasis on armed-forces welfare — especially relevant in Uttarakhand, which has a high military enlistment rate.
Has PM Modi addressed security forces on Diwali before?
Yes. PM Modi has maintained a practice of addressing paramilitary and security personnel deployed in insurgency-affected regions during Diwali in prior years, using the occasion to recognise their service.
Where exactly is Bastar located?
Bastar is a district in the southern part of Chhattisgarh, in central India, known for its forested terrain and as the historical heart of the Left Wing Extremism-affected Red Corridor.
