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Once associated with armed rebellion in Bastar, the women appeared on a ramp dressed in handloom as part of an initiative highlighting rehabilitation and mainstream integration
Viral Video: Former Naxals Walk The Ramp In Handloom Sarees, Internet Says ‘From Lenin To Linen’
From guns in Bastar’s dense forests to a fashion ramp in Raipur, a group of former Naxal women has found itself at the centre of a viral social media moment. Dressed in elegant handloom outfits, the women walked the ramp during a National Handloom Day celebration, receiving applause from the audience.
The videos from the event, shared by BJP’s X handle as well as ANI, quickly caught attention online because of the contrast between their past and present. Once associated with the Naxal movement in the forests of Bastar, the women were seen confidently walking the ramp and participating in a public celebration of Indian handloom.
The appearance was presented as part of efforts towards rehabilitation and mainstream integration of people who have left Left-Wing Extremism behind. The broader approach combines efforts to counter Naxalism with rehabilitation, development and opportunities for people from affected areas to rebuild their lives.
Social media users were quick to react to the transformation. One commenter wrote, “Hard to imagine that some of these women once carried guns through the forests of Bastar. Today, they walked the ramp in Raipur to loud applause, having left Naxalism behind and chosen a life in the mainstream.”
???????????????? ????????????????????????’???? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????, ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????… ???????? ????????????????????????’???? ????????????????, ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????.These former Naxals have left violence behind and embraced a life of dignity,… pic.twitter.com/n3Z4JmYdWU
— BJP (@BJP4India) August 13, 2026
Another reaction struck a more emotional note: “First in my bloodline to witness former Naxals walking the ramp instead of picking up guns. My country is healing. 🇮🇳✨”
But, as is often the case with viral political stories, the comments also took a humorous and sharply political turn. One Instagram user quipped, “From Lenin to linen”, while another wrote, “BJP got Naxals and made them Naxalbaddies.”
The reactions ranged from admiration for the women’s transformation to political commentary about the decades-long conflict in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism. One commenter wrote, “These girls and boys walking the ramp today are from areas which were affected with Left Wing Extremism for decades.” Another simply observed, “India is much bigger than what you see at Jantar Mantar.”
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August 13, 2026, 13:36 IST
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