New Delhi (India) August 16: An argument was sparked a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a controversial reference in his Independence Day speech by referring to "dimagi naxal", which opposition politicians interpreted as an attack on them, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stating what the Prime Minister meant to convey by calling people by this particular term.

Kiren Rijiju Clarifies PM Modi's Remark

On social media platform X, Rijiju clarifies that this address was not directed at the top political party leaders and defines "dimagi naxals" as the supporters of Maoism, who are against the constitution, support the idea of separatism or try to divide northeast India.

“PM @narendramodi ji didn’t say opposition leaders as Dimagi Naxals. Only following are Dimagi Naxals: 1. Who support Maoists and reject Indian Constitution. 2. Who stand with separatists & support Article 370. 4. Who want to cut chicken neck to separate North-East from India,” he said.

Chidambaram Embraces Dimagi Naxal Label

Following Modi's address Congress criticised his Red Fort speech and called all his warnings to the "dimagi naxals" as meaningless political rhetoric. In the post in his account on X on Sunday, Congress politician Chidambaram slammed PM Modi, for calling people with Maoist mindset who have deeply embedded themselves within the system and continues to affect policies by posing threats.

“I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!” Chidambaram said.

The Congress leader's retort and Rijiju's clarification has landed PM Modi's remark 'dimagi naxal' into another new political controversy with Congress leader himself embracing the term and union minister arguing the comment was not directed at opposition politicians.

Jairam Ramesh Questions Dimagi Naxal Term

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh argued that there is absolutely nothing real in this term, drawing an analogy to the previous issue of "urban naxal".

"Two or three years ago, he (PM Modi) called his political opponents 'urban naxals'; at that time, the question arose in Parliament as to what the definition of 'Urban Naxal' was. The home minister replied that there is no such thing as an 'urban naxal,' nor is there any definition for it. Today, the Prime Minister is using the term 'mental naxal' (ideological Naxal) for his political opponents from the Red Fort," he said.

"The reality is that he eventually accepts the issues and demands raised by the very people he labels as 'Urban Naxals.' He had dismissed the idea of a caste census as 'Urban Naxal' thinking, yet a year ago, he announced a caste-based census. First, you make derogatory remarks--calling them 'Urban Naxals' or 'Mental Naxals'--but later, you accept the very demands your political opponents were making. Even after 12 years, there was nothing new in his political speech," he added.

PM Modi Warns Against Maoist Ideological Influence

In his address on the occasion of 80th Independence day, the Prime Minister said that India successfully dealt with armed Naxalism in the forests but there were people with the Maoist ideology who seek an opportunity to spread violence and anarchy.

"For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life, even in government committees; this thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from 'hathariya naxal' (armed naxal)," he said.

"Even if these naxals are gone, but the 'dimagi naxal' (people with naxal thinking), are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path. We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country," he added.