Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Modi warns of 'dimaagi Naxals,' announces AI training for youth
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, gave a big speech on Independence Day.
He stood at the Red Fort and talked to the whole country.
He said the government had already removed dangerous fighters called Naxals from the forests.
But he warned about 'dimaagi Naxals,' people who support those ideas with their words and ideas.
He said these people should be identified and isolated.
He also made promises to young people.
He said one crore young people will get training in AI, which is how computers learn.
He promised free online classes to help students prepare for big exams.
He also wants children between 5 and 15 to be trained for the Olympic Games in 2036.
PM Narendra Modi warned of a new enemy, 'dimaagi (intellectual) Naxals,' saying armed Naxals have been eliminated but their ideological backers still seek chances to promote violence and anarchy.
He announced AI skill training for 1 crore youths within the coming year so India can lead the world in AI.
Modi announced free online coaching for competitive exams, saying it would reduce a 'massive burden' on middle-class families.
He appealed to all political parties to implement the 33 per cent women's reservation in legislatures early; the Congress called the appeal 'a dishonest pitch.'
He announced a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15, aiming for India to compete in at least three-fourths of events at the 2036 Olympics.
- Who
- PM Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on Independence Day.
- What
- Delivered a 75-minute Independence Day address warning about 'dimaagi (intellectual) Naxals' and announcing youth-focused initiatives including AI training, free online exam coaching, and a sports talent hunt.
- When
- Saturday, India's Independence Day.
- Where
- From the ramparts of the Red Fort.
- Why
- To counter ideological Naxalism and sustain youth outreach weeks after the Jantar Mantar Gen Z protests humbled the government.
Government / BJP
Opposition / Critics
Women's reservation implementation
Government / BJP
PM Modi appealed to all political parties to implement the 33 per cent women's reservation early, saying it had 'persistently fallen victim to political games,' and the Centre has linked implementation to delimitation.
Opposition / Critics
The Congress termed the appeal 'a dishonest pitch,' accused the Centre of delaying implementation of the law passed in 2023, and opposes the delimitation linkage.
Gen Z protests framing
Government / BJP
The BJP initially portrayed the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest as driven by an external 'global toolkit' to spread anarchy in India.
Opposition / Critics
The party later modified its position after it became apparent that many of the protesters were from pro-BJP families.
Warning on 'dimaagi Naxals'
Government / BJP
Modi said ideological Naxalites had established themselves in corridors of power and influenced policymaking, and must be identified and isolated before they revive violence and anarchy.
Opposition / Critics
Critics note the warning extends his past 'urban Naxals' rhetoric, which mainly targets anti-establishment and Left-leaning academics, journalists, activists and lawyers, and came weeks after the Gen Z protests forced out education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Event
- 75-minute Independence Day address
- Speaker
- PM Narendra Modi
- Location
- Ramparts of the Red Fort
- New term used
- Dimaagi (intellectual) Naxals
- AI training pledge
- Skill training for 1 crore youths within one year
- Women's reservation
- 33 per cent in legislatures; law passed in 2023
- 2036 Olympics goal
- Participate in at least three-fourths of events
- Reform agenda
- Sapta Dhara - seven-pronged multi-sector reforms