New Delhi: A fresh political confrontation erupted on Independence Day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the term “dimaagi Naxals” during his address to the nation from the Red Fort. The Congress strongly criticised the remark, with party general secretary Jairam Ramesh accusing the Prime Minister of targeting political opponents and calling the statement a “sure sign of desperation.”
The exchange has added a sharp political dimension to Modi’s 80th Independence Day speech, in which the Prime Minister spoke extensively about national security, the decline of armed Naxalism and the need to remain vigilant against what he described as an ideological threat.
Modi warns against ‘Dimaagi Naxals’
During his Independence Day address, Modi said India had made significant progress in tackling armed Naxalism but warned that the ideological challenge had not disappeared.
The Prime Minister said armed Naxals had been driven out of the jungles but alleged that “dimaagi Naxals”, or people he characterised as having an intellectual or ideological Naxal mindset, were still looking for opportunities to create violence and unrest.
He urged people to identify and isolate such elements and said efforts should also be made to bring young people into the mainstream.
Modi also linked the issue to the long-term impact of Maoist ideology, arguing that Naxalism had damaged the future of generations of young Indians. He highlighted the sacrifices of security personnel during decades of fighting armed Left-wing extremism.
Jairam Ramesh launches counterattack
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh responded sharply to the Prime Minister's remarks.
Ramesh argued that Modi had previously used the expression “urban Naxals” for his political opponents and was now using the phrase “dimaagi Naxals”. He described the change in terminology as evidence of what he called the Prime Minister’s desperation.
Ramesh also alleged that issues raised by people previously described as “urban Naxals” were subsequently taken up by the government.
Among the examples he cited was the caste census. According to Ramesh, the government had previously dismissed demands for such a census but later announced that a caste-based census would be conducted.
In a social-media post, Ramesh also used a personal political attack against Modi, describing him as a “master abuser” in political science.
Congress questions the use of the term
The Congress's criticism goes beyond the latest phrase and reflects a broader dispute over the use of labels such as “urban Naxal”.
Ramesh pointed out that the term has been used in political debates for years. He referred to an earlier parliamentary discussion in which the Union Home Ministry had stated that there was no official definition of “urban Naxal”.
Congress argues that such terminology can be used to portray political opponents, activists, academics and critics as security threats rather than treating their political or social arguments on their merits.
The BJP and the government, however, have repeatedly argued that ideological support for extremist movements can pose a serious threat even when armed insurgency is weakened.
Political battle over Naxalism intensifies
The disagreement comes as the government highlights its security achievements against Maoist insurgency.
Modi said in his Independence Day speech that armed Naxalism had been substantially eliminated and warned that the country should not become complacent. He maintained that ideological elements could still attempt to influence society and create unrest.
The Congress, meanwhile, has interpreted the Prime Minister’s remarks primarily as a political attack on dissenters and opponents.
The contrasting responses underline two very different political narratives. The government frames the issue around national security, counter-insurgency and ideological threats, while the opposition sees the rhetoric as an attempt to discredit criticism and political disagreement.
What the controversy means
The dispute over “dimaagi Naxals” is likely to remain part of the wider political debate over how India addresses dissent, extremism and ideological movements.
For the Modi government, the warning is intended to emphasise that eliminating armed insurgency does not necessarily eliminate the ideological environment that can sustain extremist politics. For the Congress, the concern is that broad and undefined labels could be used against legitimate political opponents and critics.
The controversy therefore reflects a larger question in Indian politics: where should the line be drawn between combating extremist ideology and protecting legitimate political dissent?
With both sides firmly defending their positions, Modi’s Independence Day remarks have triggered a new round of political confrontation between the BJP-led government and the Congress.
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