Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Modi Defends ‘Dimagi Naxal’ Remark at SRCC Celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at a celebration for Shri Ram College of Commerce.
He used the phrase “Dimagi Naxal” for people he said support certain harmful ideas.
He compared the phrase to a homeopathic medicine that can make symptoms seem stronger at first.
Modi said people’s reactions showed the public who was promoting the ideas.
The Opposition said the phrase was an attack on its leaders.
Minister Kiren Rijiju said the phrase was not meant for opposition leaders.
He said it referred to people who support Maoism, separatism or rejection of the Constitution.
Modi also talked about economic growth and higher sales of vehicles.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the term “Dimagi Naxal” while speaking at Shri Ram College of Commerce’s centenary celebrations.
Modi said reactions to the phrase had revealed the “true colours” of people promoting what he called a harmful agenda.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the term was not aimed at opposition leaders, but at supporters of Maoism, separatism or rejection of the Constitution.
The Opposition described the remark as an attack on its leaders and triggered a political dispute over its meaning.
Modi also highlighted reported 7.8% quarterly growth, a credit-rating upgrade, 9% higher power generation and increased vehicle sales.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Opposition parties are central to the report.
- What
- Modi defended his use of the term “Dimagi Naxal,” while Rijiju offered an interpretation and the Opposition criticized the remark.
- When
- The remarks were made on a Saturday at the reported centenary celebrations; the article also refers to reactions following Modi’s Independence Day speech.
- Where
- At Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi.
- Why
- Modi said the term was intended to identify people promoting what he described as an illness or harmful agenda; Rijiju said it referred to supporters of Maoism, separatism or rejection of the Constitution.
Government’s Interpretation
Opposition’s Interpretation
Meaning of “Dimagi Naxal”
Government’s Interpretation
Modi said the phrase exposed people promoting what he described as an illness, while Rijiju defined them as supporters of Maoism, separatism, rejection of the Constitution or isolation of Northeast India.
Opposition’s Interpretation
The Opposition said Modi’s remark was an attack on opposition leaders.
Purpose of the remark
Government’s Interpretation
Modi said the phrase prompted those he was referring to to react and allowed the public to see their “true colours.”
Opposition’s Interpretation
The Opposition viewed the remark as politically directed at it rather than as a general description of ideological supporters.
- Event
- Centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce
- Speaker
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Contested term
- “Dimagi Naxal”
- Government explanation
- Kiren Rijiju said it referred to supporters of Maoism, separatism, rejection of the Constitution or efforts to isolate Northeast India.
- Quarterly growth
- 7.8%
- Power generation
- Up 9%, according to Modi
- Vehicle sales
- Overall sales rose 20%; two-wheelers rose around 20% and three-wheelers nearly 30%.