PM Modi Warns Against ‘Dimaagi Naxals’
Narendra Modi used his Independence Day speech on Saturday to warn the country about what he called “dimaagi Naxals” or intellectual Naxals.
And from the Red Fort, Modi said India has achieved significant progress in the fight against armed Naxalism, but people who are in support of the ideology still have the potential to influence and brainwash young people, he said.
He said it’s important to identify these and isolate them while encouraging the youth to focus on building a developed India.
PM Modi Says Naxalism Destroyed Lives
PM Modi said left-wing extremism (LWE) had resulted in widespread violence and hurt thousands of young people’s futures.He recalled the long fight against Naxal violence and said many security personnel and police officers had lost their lives while fighting the insurgency.
Maoist ideology had controlled large parts of the country for decades through violence and the use of guns, the Prime Minister said.He said the government had taken a firm decision in 2014 to eliminate Naxalism and claimed that areas once affected by Maoist violence were now seeing development and greater public trust.
‘Dimaagi Naxals Are Still Looking for Opportunities’
When talking about the government’s success in overcoming armed Naxalism, PM Modi said the challenge should not be underestimated.He said Maoist ideology-influenced people had previously occupied government committees, advisory roles, and other influential spaces.
According to Modi, this ideology had also influenced government policy in the past.The Prime Minister said armed Naxalism had been largely defeated in the forests, but “dimaagi Naxals” were still looking for opportunities to influence people.He warned such individuals could try to brainwash the youth and said the country must be alert.
India Declared Naxal-Free in 2026
The Centre declared India Naxal-free on March 30, 2026, which marks a milestone in the government’s long-running campaign against Left-Wing Extremism.At the height of Naxal violence in the mid-2000s, more than 120 districts were affected by the insurgency. Maoist groups had built parallel systems of control in some areas.
Although the government has declared the country Naxal-free, security forces remain deployed in former hotspots to prevent the return of violence and ensure that young people are not influenced to take up arms again.
PM Modi Announces Modern Civil Defence Network
Besides Naxalism, PM Modi made another big announcement during his Independence Day address.At that time, the Prime Minister promised that a highly effective and modern Civil Defence system would be developed in India.
He said the new system will prepare citizens for a changing warfare environment and help them respond to modern threats and will make the country’s response to modern threats more effective.
PM Modi said India needs to be ready for challenges both within its borders and outside.As he put it, modern warfare is no longer restricted to conventional battles along the border. Critical infrastructure like refineries, banks, and data centres may also have to be targeted.
He said citizens need to respond to such threats as well.
Why is Civil Defence being strengthened?
The government's focus on Civil Defence has increased after Operation Sindoor, during which mock drills were conducted in different parts of the country.The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards was involved in organizing these exercises and training volunteers.
The government is also working on updating its Civil Defence training manual. Some of the old guidelines were outdated and needed to be modernised according to the changing nature of warfare, officials believed.
And the government is also looking to increase the number of Civil Defence volunteers throughout the country.
Nearly 6 Lakh Civil Defence Volunteers
There are currently around 5.95 lakh registered Civil Defence volunteers across India.
Following Operation Sindoor, more than one lakh citizens reportedly applied through different platforms to join the Civil Defence volunteer network.
The government has also highlighted several key areas that need improvement, including:
- Modernising air-raid warning systems
- Improving training and capacity building
- Recruiting volunteers from diverse backgrounds
- Increasing public awareness
- Conducting regular civil defence drills
- Preparing citizens for modern security threats
Training programmes for Civil Defence volunteers have also been intensified in recent months.
Civil Defence Network Given Modern Push
The Directorate General of Civil Defence was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 17, 1962.Civil Defence volunteers support the government in emergency situations and during war. The work of civil defence volunteers is divided into four stages like peace time, preparation, and war.
The government is now working on a more modern framework that can respond to threats related to critical infrastructure, technology, and other forms of modern warfare.PM Modi’s Independence Day message is part of a wider policy to make citizens a part of India’s emergency preparedness system.
Two Major Messages From PM Modi's I-Day Speech
PM Modi's Independence Day speech contained two key messages on national security.First, he warned that armed Naxalism has been defeated, but the government remains concerned about the influence of Maoist ideology and what he called “dimaagi Naxals”.
Second, he announced plans for a modern Civil Defence network to prepare citizens for a new sort of warfare and threats against critical infrastructure.And these are steps in line with the government’s approach to internal security, national preparedness, and citizen involvement as India addresses new challenges in the world.