‘Derogatory’: PM Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxals’ Remark Triggers Row; Congress, CJP, Left Parties Hit Back

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day remarks on “dimagi Naxals” have triggered a sharp political backlash from Opposition parties. In his Red Fort address, Modi said armed Naxalism was nearing its end but alleged that people with a Maoist mindset were still looking for opportunities to create violence and anarchy. He called for such “mental Naxals” to be identified and isolated. Opposition leaders accused the Prime Minister of using labels to target critics, activists, academics and political opponents and suppress dissent. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the government had revived the “urban Naxal” label, while former Union minister P Chidambaram said he was “proud” to be called a “dimagi Naxal”. CPI(M) and CPI leaders also criticised the remark, calling it an attempt to stigmatise political dissent.