Daily Read: India
Congress Criticises Modi’s ‘Dimagi Naxals’ Comment
On Sunday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making political remarks during a Diwali address to Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Chhattisgarh. Ramesh criticized Modi’s use of the solemn occasion and the CRPF uniform to attack political rivals, calling it a “brazen assault on institutional norms.” The criticism follows Modi’s remarks on “Dimagi Naxals,” which he said were influencing political parties and other organisations. Modi had earlier warned that while armed Naxalites were eliminated, “Dimagi Naxals” remained a threat to democracy and the Constitution. Ramesh cited past statements by Modi, including labeling those demanding a caste census as “urban naxals” in April 2024 and calling farm law agitators “naxal ideology” supporters in 2020. He also referenced Modi’s 2025 announcement of a caste census under Census 2027 and the 2021 withdrawal of the three controversial farm laws. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress over Modi’s political rhetoric and the use of security forces in public speeches. No further official response from the BJP was reported at the time.
The essential points
- 01Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed Modi for using Diwali address to attack political rivals.
- 02Modi warned that “Dimagi Naxals” continue to influence political parties despite elimination of armed Naxalites.
- 03Ramesh cited Modi’s 2024 “urban naxals” comment on caste census demands and 2020 farm law agitation remarks.
- 04The criticism underscores the BJP‑Congress rift over Modi’s political rhetoric and the role of security forces in public speeches.
The full brief
On Sunday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making political remarks during a Diwali address to Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Chhattisgarh. Ramesh criticized Modi’s use of the solemn occasion and the CRPF uniform to attack political rivals, calling it a “brazen assault on institutional norms.” The criticism follows Modi’s remarks on “Dimagi Naxals,” which he said were influencing political parties and other organisations.
Modi had earlier warned that while armed Naxalites were eliminated, “Dimagi Naxals” remained a threat to democracy and the Constitution. Ramesh cited past statements by Modi, including labeling those demanding a caste census as “urban naxals” in April 2024 and calling farm law agitators “naxal ideology” supporters in 2020. He also referenced Modi’s 2025 announcement of a caste census under Census 2027 and the 2021 withdrawal of the three controversial farm laws.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress over Modi’s political rhetoric and the use of security forces in public speeches. No further official response from the BJP was reported at the time.