C’garh’s Proposal To Create Bastar Regiment In Indian Army Under Examination, Says Rajnath Singh

Raipur: Defense minister Rajnath Singh stated that the Chhattisgarh government’s proposal to form ‘Bastar Regiment’ in the Indian Army is being examined.

In a communication dated July 9 to Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, Mr. Singh acknowledged receiving a letter from the former in this regard and stated that the matter was under review.

In his letter written in Hindi, Mr. Singh said, “Your letter dated 26 June 2026 regarding his (Mr. Sharma’s) proposal to establish a Bastar Regime in the Indian Army has been received. The matter is under investigation.”

In his letter, Mr. Sharma justified the proposal by citing the courage and valor of local tribal youths in the Bastar region in counter-insurgency operations.

He said that the local tribal youth in the region served for a long time with the security forces against the Maoists, enduring the most difficult environments, and displayed incredible courage and resilience.

Bastar Fighters and District Reserve Guards (DRG), the Chhattisgarh police’s specialized counter-insurgency forces consisting solely of tribal youth from the Bastar region, have played a crucial role in combating the Maoist menace by countering Left Wing Extremism in the hostile terrains and jungles of Bastar for the last decade.

Mr. Sharma said that if the Bastar Regiment is established, these tribal soldiers can benefit from their operational experience in difficult geographies and contribute to both national defense and internal security.

He said such a move would not only provide employment to tribal youth in Bastar region but also instil in them a sense of patriotism and pride for being a part of Indian defense forces.