Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to “dimaagi Naxals” in his Independence Day speech triggered a sharp political response from the Congress, with the Opposition party accusing him of using labels to target his political opponents.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Saturday, PM Modi said India had made significant progress in tackling armed Naxalism but warned that an ideological challenge remained.
“We have succeeded in getting rid of armed Naxals in the jungles, but the ‘dimaagi Naxals’ are looking for opportunities to create violence, unrest. They want to drag the society on the wrong path,” Modi said.
He added, “These intellectual Naxals have to be identified and isolated.”
Why Did PM Modi Mention ‘Dimaagi Naxals’?
The Prime Minister linked his remarks to the government’s campaign against Naxal violence. While claiming that armed Naxalism had been largely brought under control, he argued that people supporting what he described as a Naxal mindset could still influence society and create unrest.
Modi said the country needed to remain alert even as security forces continued to deal with armed insurgency.
Congress Calls Remark a ‘Sign of Desperation’
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh strongly criticised the Prime Minister’s remarks and said the terminology was being used to attack political opponents.
Ramesh recalled that Modi had previously used the term “Urban Naxals” while referring to critics of the government.
“Two or three years ago, he (PM Modi) called his political opponents ‘Urban Naxals’. At that time, the question arose in Parliament as to what the definition of ‘Urban Naxal’ was. The Home Minister replied that there is no such thing as an ‘Urban Naxal’, nor is there any definition for it,” Ramesh said.
He further alleged that the government later accepted some of the demands raised by people who had earlier been described as “Urban Naxals”.
Jairam Ramesh Targets Modi Over Caste Census
Ramesh cited the caste census as an example of what he described as a change in the government’s position.
“The reality is that he eventually accepts the issues and demands raised by the very people he labels as ‘Urban Naxals’. He had dismissed the idea of a caste census as ‘Urban Naxal’ thinking, yet a year ago, he announced a caste-based census,” Ramesh said.
He added, “First, you make derogatory remarks, calling them ‘Urban Naxals’ or ‘Mental Naxals’, but later, you accept the very demands your political opponents were making.”
Ramesh also described Modi’s use of the term from the Red Fort as a “sure sign of his desperation.”
What Is the Political Dispute About?
The latest exchange reflects another clash between the BJP and Congress over the language used to describe political opponents.
While the Prime Minister presented “dimaagi Naxals” as an ideological threat that needs to be isolated, the Congress argued that such labels are being used to discredit dissent and political criticism.
The remarks have therefore added another political flashpoint to Modi’s Independence Day address, which otherwise focused heavily on India’s development, national security and the government’s long-term vision.
