Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Rijiju escalates 'dimagi Naxal' row, attacks Congress and Rahul Gandhi
In India, two big political groups, the BJP and the Congress, are having a big argument.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, gave a speech on Independence Day.
In the speech, he talked about 'dimagi Naxals', which means people who think like Naxals, a group the government considers dangerous.
A minister named Kiren Rijiju said the Congress party is becoming like a Maoist party.
He also said Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader, is not acting like a proper Leader of the Opposition.
Congress leaders are upset and say the government is using mean labels against them.
One Congress leader, P Chidambaram, even said he is proud to be called a 'dimagi naxal'.
Rijiju also made fun of Rahul Gandhi for joking about the Prime Minister.
The Parliament's Monsoon Session ended after many disruptions.
Rijiju also praised the new team of leaders chosen by the BJP.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of 'turning into a Maoist party' amid the row over PM Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' remark.
Rijiju questioned Rahul Gandhi's conduct as Leader of Opposition, accusing Congress MPs of choosing sloganeering and disruption over debate.
Rijiju criticised Rahul Gandhi's mockery of PM Modi's foreign policy at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, saying Gandhi made a 'laughingstock' of himself.
Congress MP P Chidambaram responded on X: 'I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!'
Rijiju welcomed the BJP's newly constituted national team under party president Nitin Nabin, praising PM Modi for blending leaders from different regions.
- Who
- Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, PM Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and the BJP and Congress parties.
- What
- A political row over PM Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' Independence Day remark, with Rijiju accusing Congress of turning into a Maoist party and questioning Rahul Gandhi's conduct as Leader of Opposition.
- When
- August 18, 2026, following PM Modi's Independence Day speech and the end of the Monsoon Session that began on July 20.
- Where
- India, including Delhi, the Lok Sabha, and the Red Fort.
- Why
- Because of PM Modi's warning about 'dimagi Naxals' and ongoing tensions between the BJP and Congress over Parliament conduct and opposition issues.
Congress / Opposition
BJP / Government
'Dimagi Naxal' remark
Congress / Opposition
Congress leaders call it political abuse directed at BJP opponents, comparing it with labels like 'urban Naxals', 'Andolanjeevi' and 'tukde tukde gang'.
BJP / Government
Rijiju says the remark was not aimed at any particular party and refers to 'ideological Naxalism' that threatens internal security, echoing Manmohan Singh's 2006 statement.
Rahul Gandhi's conduct as Leader of Opposition
Congress / Opposition
Congress raised issues including NEET-UG protests, the demand for Amit Shah's statement, and alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement.
BJP / Government
Rijiju says Gandhi does not uphold the dignity of the LoP role and leads a 'brigade' whose only job is to create a ruckus and hurl abuses.
Parliament functioning
Congress / Opposition
Congress demanded a statement from Amit Shah over police action at Jantar Mantar and accused the government of avoiding discussion.
BJP / Government
Rijiju says the government was prepared for a discussion and Congress 'got scared to face the Parliament' and ran away from it.
- Row
- 'Dimagi Naxal' controversy over PM Modi's Independence Day remark
- Accusation
- Congress 'transformed itself into a Maoist and Naxalite entity'
- Minister
- Kiren Rijiju, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister
- Congress response
- P Chidambaram: 'I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!'
- Monsoon Session
- Began July 20; 19 sittings over 25 days; 12 Bills passed
- Rahul Gandhi event
- Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, August 13
- BJP president
- Nitin Nabin
- Demand
- Congress sought Amit Shah's statement on Jantar Mantar police action (July 20)