News
August 23, 2025
Bastar people resent INDIA bloc’s VP nominee for his Salwa Judum verdict, says Chhattisgarh deputy CM
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao has stated that the people of Bastar resent the INDIA bloc's Vice Presidential nominee due to his past involvement with the Salwa Judum movement. Sao claims that this sentiment stems from the nominee's role in a Supreme Court verdict that deemed the Salwa Judum unconstitutional. The Salwa Judum, a controversial anti-Maoist vigilante group, operated in Chhattisgarh for several years and faced accusations of human rights abuses.
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**Bastar Residents Hold Grievances Against VP Nominee Over Salwa Judum Verdict, Claims Chhattisgarh Deputy CM**
Raipur – The political landscape of Chhattisgarh has heated up as Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao asserts that residents of the Bastar region harbor strong resentment towards the INDIA bloc's Vice Presidential candidate. According to Sao, this opposition stems from the nominee's connection to the Supreme Court's verdict on the Salwa Judum, a controversial anti-Maoist movement that operated in the state.
Sao's statement highlights the deep and lingering wounds left by the Salwa Judum, a vigilante group formed in 2005 with the stated aim of combating Maoist insurgents. While proponents viewed it as a necessary measure to restore peace and security in the region, the Salwa Judum was plagued by allegations of severe human rights violations, including forced recruitment of tribal youth, arson, and extrajudicial killings.
The Supreme Court ultimately declared the Salwa Judum unconstitutional in 2011, effectively ordering its disbandment. The verdict cited concerns about the group's legality and the violation of fundamental rights. Sao's remarks suggest that the INDIA bloc's nominee played a significant role in the legal proceedings surrounding this landmark decision.
"The people of Bastar have not forgotten the Salwa Judum," Sao stated. "They remember the violence, the displacement, and the injustice. The fact that the INDIA bloc has nominated someone connected to the verdict that addressed the unconstitutionality of the Salwa Judum has understandably caused deep resentment."
The Deputy Chief Minister's comments are likely to intensify political debate in Chhattisgarh, particularly in the Bastar region, which has historically been a hotbed of Maoist activity and a focal point of the Salwa Judum's operations. They also raise questions about the INDIA bloc's candidate selection process and the potential impact of this historical baggage on their electoral prospects. The issue serves as a stark reminder
***
**Bastar Residents Hold Grievances Against VP Nominee Over Salwa Judum Verdict, Claims Chhattisgarh Deputy CM**
Raipur – The political landscape of Chhattisgarh has heated up as Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao asserts that residents of the Bastar region harbor strong resentment towards the INDIA bloc's Vice Presidential candidate. According to Sao, this opposition stems from the nominee's connection to the Supreme Court's verdict on the Salwa Judum, a controversial anti-Maoist movement that operated in the state.
Sao's statement highlights the deep and lingering wounds left by the Salwa Judum, a vigilante group formed in 2005 with the stated aim of combating Maoist insurgents. While proponents viewed it as a necessary measure to restore peace and security in the region, the Salwa Judum was plagued by allegations of severe human rights violations, including forced recruitment of tribal youth, arson, and extrajudicial killings.
The Supreme Court ultimately declared the Salwa Judum unconstitutional in 2011, effectively ordering its disbandment. The verdict cited concerns about the group's legality and the violation of fundamental rights. Sao's remarks suggest that the INDIA bloc's nominee played a significant role in the legal proceedings surrounding this landmark decision.
"The people of Bastar have not forgotten the Salwa Judum," Sao stated. "They remember the violence, the displacement, and the injustice. The fact that the INDIA bloc has nominated someone connected to the verdict that addressed the unconstitutionality of the Salwa Judum has understandably caused deep resentment."
The Deputy Chief Minister's comments are likely to intensify political debate in Chhattisgarh, particularly in the Bastar region, which has historically been a hotbed of Maoist activity and a focal point of the Salwa Judum's operations. They also raise questions about the INDIA bloc's candidate selection process and the potential impact of this historical baggage on their electoral prospects. The issue serves as a stark reminder
Category:
Politics