Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, along with President Droupadi Murmu, interacted with the Manjhi-Chalaki, the leading representatives of Bastar's social traditions, and winners of Bastar Pandum at Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 30, 2026. This marked the first time Bastar residents arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan in their traditional attire.
In a post on X, Shah stated that this visit serves as proof that Bastar, which was previously losing its rich heritage, culture and traditions due to Naxalite violence, is now Naxal-free and actively preserving its cultural heritage. The Home Minister made a forward-looking projection that Bastar is advancing on the path of development and will become Chhattisgarh's most developed division in the coming years, establishing new benchmarks of progress.