‘Proud to be a dimaagi naxal’: Opposition leaders after PM Modi's ‘isolate them’ remarks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks warning against "intellectual Naxals" have ignited a political firestorm, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Modi, speaking on Saturday, cautioned against what he termed "dimagi Naxals" (intellectual Naxals), stating that while armed Maoists have been defeated, sympathizers of the ideology continue to seek opportunities to "brainwash" the youth. He emphasized the need to identify and isolate such individuals.

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I am proud to be a dimagi naxal

The prime minister's comments immediately triggered a political slugfest, with Congress leaders labeling the new terminology a "sure sign of desperation." Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram defiantly declared, "I am proud to be a dimagi naxal." Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh echoed this sentiment, calling Modi's remarks a "sure sign of desperation" and noting the prime minister's evolving rhetoric against his critics. Ramesh also sarcastically remarked on Modi's educational background, suggesting he is the "Master Abuser in Entire Political Science."

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It is a sure sign of his desperation. First he called his opponents ‘urban naxals’. Now he calls them ‘dimaagi Naxals’.

Ramesh further questioned the label, asking if demanding social justice, such as a caste census, qualifies someone as a "Dimagi Naxal." He pointed out that the government eventually announced a caste census after years of opposition. Saurav Das of Cockroach Janta Party also criticized the prime minister, questioning the loose branding of educated young people as "Naxalis" simply for questioning the government. Advocate Prashant Bhushan also joined the criticism, questioning who Modi was referring to, possibly the youth demanding the Education Minister's resignation.

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Is demanding social justice ‘Dimagi Naxal’?