New Delhi: The central government stepped in on Sunday to clarify Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to “dimagi Naxals” during his Independence Day address after the remarks ignited strong political pushback from opposition figures. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the phrase was not directed at mainstream opposition leaders or those who uphold the Indian Constitution, but rather targeted individuals and groups harbouring separatist ideologies.
The clarification followed sharp criticism from political leaders, including senior Congress figure P. Chidambaram, who reacted to the Prime Minister’s speech by stating he was proud to be labelled among those targeted by the remark. Addressing the mounting debate, Rijiju outlined specific criteria defining the phrase, explaining that it strictly applies to individuals who actively support Maoist movements while rejecting the Constitution, those who align with separatists and advocate for Article 370, and those who seek to sever the strategic Siliguri Corridor to detach the Northeast from the rest of the nation.
During his address, the Prime Minister highlighted that while security forces have achieved major successes against armed left-wing extremism on the ground, the country must remain vigilant against intellectual sympathizers who sustain the movement conceptually. He urged citizens to actively identify and isolate such elements, introducing the term to describe those providing ideological backing to extremist networks.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from multiple opposition platforms, with party spokespersons accusing the administration of using broad labels to delegitimize dissent and student activism. Critics argued that branding questioning citizens and educated youth with extremist tags reflects an unwillingness to address underlying governance challenges and youth concerns.
