92 Bastar Villages Set to Hoist Tricolour for First Time Since Independence

The Tricolour will be hoisted for the first time since Independence in 92 remote villages of Bastar on August 15, marking a significant shift in areas once dominated by Left-Wing Extremism and signalling what the Chhattisgarh government describes as the restoration of state presence and constitutional governance.

The 92 villages include 33 in Bijapur, 50 in Sukma and nine in Narayanpur, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, said while outlining the state's Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

Sharma said this would be the first national festival following the government's assertion that armed Maoist cadres were eliminated in Chhattisgarh on March 31. He said that by August 15, every village in Bastar would have the Tricolour hoisted and the Constitution would be fully in force.

For years, several interior areas of Bastar remained under strong Maoist influence, with the banned CPI (Maoist) calling for boycotts of Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations. National flags were often replaced by red and black flags as Maoists sought to prevent participation in official events.

The latest development follows a gradual expansion of security and administration in the region. During Republic Day 2026, the Tricolour was unfurled for the first time in 41 villages, including 13 in Bijapur, 18 in Narayanpur and 10 in Sukma. The government has also pointed to improved roads, healthcare, schools, telecommunications and welfare delivery in formerly inaccessible areas.

Around 200 security camps have been established across Bastar, with 70 proposed for conversion into Veer Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Dera centres to bring services such as banking, Aadhaar enrolment, ration facilities and government schemes closer to remote communities.

As part of the Independence Day campaign, Tiranga Yatras will be organised in Purvarti, Silger, Tekalgudem, Ranibodli and Darbha, with BJP workers, youth and residents participating in motorcycle rallies.

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said Tiranga Yatras would be held across more than 450 BJP organisational units, villages, panchayats and urban bodies. The state-level campaign will begin at Marine Drive in Raipur on August 10, with participation from Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, ministers, legislators, students, NCC cadets, ex-servicemen and community representatives.

More than 500 locations across Bastar will also be renamed after martyrs and local icons.

The August 15 flag-hoisting is thus being positioned not merely as a national celebration, but as a visible marker of Bastar's transition from insurgent influence towards security, development, civic participation and constitutional administration.