‘Sign of desperation’: Opposition says PM Modi’s ‘dimagi Naxals’ remark shows he is ‘rattled’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s description of his opponents as ‘dimagi Naxals’—persons with Naxal mentality—was widely interpreted as a sign of his desperation by opposition leaders. The Congress party stated this explicitly, noting that Modi’s remarks were a clear indication of his unease. Party leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized that while Modi might end up complying with demands from what he calls ‘urban Naxals’ or ‘dimaagi Naxals’, his rhetoric reflects a pattern of targeting dissenters. The term ‘urban Naxals’ originated from Union ministers and BJP leaders after arrests in the Elgar Parishad case in 2018. Since then, it has been used to describe critics of the Modi government. On Independence Day, Modi reiterated his stance, calling ‘dimagi Naxals’ a threat to Indian society and urging their isolation. He claimed that individuals with Maoist ideology had infiltrated government circles, influencing policy decisions, including as advisers on committees. Opposition leaders condemned Modi’s remarks. Congress leader Sachin Pilot described his remarks as evidence of Modi being ‘rattled’, given his past labeling of critics as ‘anti-national’. He highlighted growing public skepticism about governance and employment reforms. Communist Party of India General Secretary D Raja accused Modi of stigmatizing dissent and silencing critics, while questioning the government’s handling of education and employment issues, noting the closure of nearly a lakh government schools and the lack of responses to youth demands. Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale criticized Modi for using Independence Day to attack opponents, instead of addressing concerns over police violence against protesters in Delhi during demonstrations against competitive exam mismanagement. The crackdown on July 20 left dozens injured, prompting demands for statements from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Modi during Parliament’s Monsoon Session. The article underscores Modi’s escalating rhetoric against dissenters, contrasting his public statements with the real issues facing Indian society, including educational and employment reforms.