As Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s ‘ dimagi Naxal ’ remark in his Independence Day speech sparked a war of words between the Opposition and the BJP , Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday (August 16, 2026) said the PM was not referring to opposition leaders but only to those who support Maoists and separatists and reject the Indian Constitution.
Addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi on Saturday (August 15, 2026) warned the country about “dimagi Naxals” who have allegedly entrenched themselves in the system and continue to pose a threat to society by manipulating policies. He cautioned that “armed Naxals may have gone, but dimagi (intellectual) Naxals are lurking around” and called for “identifying and isolating” them.
Opposition leaders decried it as an attempt to stigmatise dissent and those who question the government. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera took a jibe at Mr. Rijiju with a post on X: “Brother Kiren Rijiju, get your counting right first, then we’ll answer. Mr. His remarks had caused an uproar in the opposition.
After 1 and 2 comes 3, not 4.
“Entire Political Science’s kamaal (The marvel of entire political science),” Jairam Ramesh said, responding to Khera’s comments Earlier, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram posted on X, “I am proud to be a dimagi naxal”. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey posted an old video of former Home Minister Chidambaram where he can be purportedly heard pitching against “acquiring” nuclear weapons and inducting them into Indian armed forces until there is a “full and proper debate” in the country and in Parliament about its need. Dubey said on X. Earlier reporting noted: ‘PM Modi didn’t say…’: Kiren Rijiju shares ‘dimagi naxals’ list after Opposition’s ‘proud to be’ jibe Union minister of parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday hit out at opposition parties over their criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Maoist mentality” remarks, insisting that the PM did not refer to opposition leaders as ‘dimagi naxal’, or people with a Naxal mindset. Earlier reporting noted: Rijiju’s remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that “dimagi naxals” need to be identified and “isolated”.
“Looking at the state of the world today, tell me if this statement by Chidambaram, a leader of Sonia Gandhi-led Congress, is the statement of a ‘dimagi naxal’ or not? Earlier reporting noted: In a post on the social media platform X, Rijiju shared a list, he said, was the one PM Modi was referring to in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Saturday.
Who support Maoists and reject the Indian Constitution. “Only following are Dimagi Naxals: 1. 2. Who stand with separatists & support Article 370. “4.
In a post on X, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju said, “PM Narendra Modi ji didn’t say opposition leaders as Dimagi Naxals. Who want to cut chicken neck to separate North-East from India (sic),” he said in veiled reference to student activist Sarjeel Imam, who is in judicial custody in connection with a case under the anti-terror UAPA law.
