2 weeks ago
Opposition leaders hit back at Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' remark
India has a big leader called the Prime Minister, whose name is Narendra Modi.
Every year on Independence Day, he gives a big speech from a famous fort called the Red Fort.
In this year's speech, he talked about people he called 'dimagi Naxals.'
He said that some people still want to create violence and unrest, even though the armed Naxal problem is almost over.
Many people were upset by this, because they thought he was calling everyone who asks questions a 'Naxal.'
Saurav Das, a spokesman for a small party called the Cockroach Janta Party, said it is unfair to brand smart young people just for questioning the government.
Some leaders, like P Chidambaram and Mahua Moitra, even said they are proud to be called 'dimagi Naxals.'
Another leader, D Raja, said the Prime Minister should focus on young people's problems, like education and jobs, instead of targeting critics.
The argument over this one word has become a big political fight between the government and its opponents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 80th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, said armed Naxalism was nearing its end but people with a 'dimagi Naxal' mindset were looking to create violence and unrest.
Modi said such people needed to be identified and isolated and that the youth needed to be brought into the mainstream.
Cockroach Janta Party chief spokesperson Saurav Das said educated young people cannot be branded 'Naxalis' merely for questioning the government, calling it 'sheer arrogance' and 'sheer incompetence.'
Congress leader P Chidambaram said he is 'proud to be a dimagi naxal,' while TMC MP Mahua Moitra posted, 'I am a dimaagi Naxal. All cockroaches by definition are.'
CPI general secretary D Raja accused Modi of using the label to silence critics while ignoring youth issues like education and employment, and Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh called the term a 'sure sign of desperation.'
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition figures including Saurav Das (Cockroach Janta Party), P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh (Congress), Mahua Moitra (TMC), and D Raja (CPI).
- What
- A political row over Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' remark, which critics say wrongly brands educated people who question the government.
- Where
- India; Modi spoke from the Red Fort, and critics responded largely on the social media platform X.
- When
- Following Modi's Independence Day address on Saturday, with reactions continuing into Sunday.
- Why
- Critics said the label unfairly brands those who question the government as 'Naxalis' and distracts from youth issues like education and employment.
Opposition leaders / Critics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi / Government
The 'dimagi Naxal' label
Opposition leaders / Critics
Critics such as Saurav Das say Modi loosely branded educated young people 'Naxalis' merely for questioning the government, calling it 'sheer arrogance' and 'sheer incompetence'; Chidambaram and Moitra proudly embraced the label.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi / Government
Modi said people with a 'dimagi Naxal' mindset look for opportunities to create violence and unrest and take the country in the wrong direction, and must be identified and isolated.
Dissent and youth issues
Opposition leaders / Critics
D Raja said Modi targets dissenters even on a solemn national occasion while ignoring pressing youth issues like education and employment; Jairam Ramesh called the terminology a 'sure sign of desperation.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi / Government
Modi framed the 'dimagi Naxal' mindset as a threat of violence and unrest that should be contained while the youth are brought into the mainstream.
Key facts
- Prime Minister
- Narendra Modi
- Occasion
- 80th Independence Day address from the Red Fort
- Controversial term
- 'dimagi Naxal' (intellectual Naxal)
- CJP spokesperson
- Saurav Das, who said educated youth cannot be branded 'Naxalis' for questioning the government
- Chidambaram's response
- 'I am proud to be a dimagi naxal'
- Moitra's response
- 'I am a dimaagi Naxal. All cockroaches by definition are.'
- D Raja's criticism
- Modi targets dissenters while ignoring youth issues like education and employment
- Jairam Ramesh's response
- Called the new terminology a 'sure sign of desperation'
Quotes
Saurav Das
Spokesperson for the Congress‑led United Progressive Alliance
“"Dimagi Naxal or whatever is not going to work, prime minister. How could you loosely brand educated young people 'Naxalis' etc? Just because they question your government? Sheer arrogance! Sheer incompetence at resolving their problems?"”
wionews.com
telegraphindia.com
“"An era of awakening has begun. An era of peaceful protest has begun."”
telegraphindia.com
P. Chidambaram
Senior Congress leader and former cabinet minister
“PM Modi finds time and opportunity to target dissenters even on a solemn national occasion like Independence Day, conveniently forgetting what the people of India are asking of him and his government.”
wionews.com
“I am proud to be a dimagi naxal.”
wionews.com










