Political Clash Erupts Over PM Modi's 'Dimagi Naxal' Remarks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked a political controversy during his 80th Independence Day speech at the Red Fort by calling for the identification and isolation of 'dimagi Naxals,' or intellectual Naxals. The Prime Minister stated that while the government had successfully defeated armed Maoists in the jungles, individuals with a Naxal mindset remain and seek opportunities to brainwash the youth and manipulate policies. He argued that these ideological Naxals had previously entrenched themselves in public life and government committees, posing a continued threat to society.

Opposition leaders condemned the remarks as an attempt to stigmatize dissent and vilify critics. Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram responded by stating he was proud to be a dimagi Naxal. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the terminology as a sign of desperation, drawing a parallel to the previous use of the term 'urban Naxal.' Ramesh further alleged that the government routinely labels critics with such terms before eventually adopting the policies they advocate, citing the announcement of a caste census as an example.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Prime Minister on Sunday, asserting that the remarks were not aimed at opposition leaders. Rijiju specified that 'dimagi Naxals' include those who support Maoists and reject the Indian Constitution, those who support separatists and Article 370, and those who advocate for the separation of the North East from India by cutting the 'Chicken's Neck' corridor.

Beyond the controversy, the Prime Minister's speech focused on the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' and youth empowerment. He announced new initiatives including AI training, free online coaching for competitive exams, and an Innovation Fund to support Olympic dreams. He also highlighted the government's progress since 2014 in areas such as poverty alleviation and technology adoption.