Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Bastar on October 4 to participate in the Muria Darbar, a central ritual of the world’s longest Dussehra celebration.
This marks the first time a Union Minister has attended the centuries-old tribal council, where community leaders known as Majhis present grievances and suggestions.
Shah began his visit by offering prayers to Goddess Danteshwari at the Rajmahal temple, the presiding deity of Bastar. He then joined the Darbar, sat on a ground-laid mattress alongside state dignitaries, while tribal representatives occupied chairs.
His presence highlighted the Centre’s outreach to indigenous communities and reinforced its commitment to preserving tribal heritage.
In a major welfare announcement, Shah digitally transferred ₹606.94 crore to the bank accounts of 6.5 million women beneficiaries under the Chhattisgarh government’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana.
The 20th instalment added 4,000 women from five Bastar districts, Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada, re-enrolled through 53 camps under the Niyed Nella Nar initiative, ensuring no eligible woman was left out.
Shah’s visit coincides with intensified anti-Naxal operations in Bastar. Just days prior, 103 Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur, signalling a shift in the security situation.
The Centre aims to eliminate the Maoist insurgency by March 2026, and Shah’s presence reinforces this strategic mission.
Held at Sirahasara near the Bastar Palace, the Muria Darbar continues the royal court system established in 1876. Once presided over by Bastar kings, it now serves as a democratic forum where elected leaders, including Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and tribal elders, discuss governance issues.
The venue featured traditional decor with coconut leaves, reflecting the cultural richness of Bastar Dussehra.
With cultural reverence and administrative resolve, HM Amit Shah’s Bastar visit honours tribal customs. It also advances inclusive development, bridging centuries-old traditions with modern welfare initiatives.
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