New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, once again challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate on Monday. The
fresh attack in response to the Prime Minister’s remarks in Chhattisgarh on Sunday , in which he labelled the Opposition leaders as ‘Dimagi Naxals.’
Referencing the PM’s Diwali address to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, Rahul Gandhi challenged him to a debate on who “anti-national” exactly is and who is being controlled by foreign powers.
Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi wrote: “Dear @crpfindia, your faces said it all—you did not believe the PM’s lies. He called us ‘Naxals.’ My challenge stands: let him debate me on who is anti-national and who is controlled by foreign powers—anytime, anywhere. I guarantee that after such a debate, the PM would not have the courage to stand before even a single soldier again.”
What did PM Modi say in Chhattisgarh?
On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi celebrated Diwali with CRPF personnel at a camp in Karanpur, located in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. Addressing the troops, the PM noted that while armed Maoists have been neutralized, the threat of Naxalism has not been entirely eradicated. He warned that proponents of the Naxalite ideology—whom he termed “Dimagi Naxals”—have managed to gain influence within various organizations.
He added, “Amidst these successes, we must keep one thing in mind: while the Naxals have been wiped out, the threat remains. Armed Naxals may have vanished from the forests, but ‘ideological Naxals’ have taken hold within many organizations.” The PM further stated, “Even today, they are inciting people against the country’s Constitution and democracy. They have infiltrated various political parties and diverse organizations. We must identify and defeat them to ensure the nation’s security.” Earlier too, the PM issued a warning against ‘Dimahi Naxals’.
On March 31 of this year, the Centre announced that the country had become free from the menace of Naxalism, following the elimination of numerous Maoist leaders and cadres, and the surrender of hundreds of others. PM Modi described the end of Maoist terror as a victory for the nation’s sound policies and strong political will.
Earlier, in his Independence Day speech in August, the Prime Minister had also referred to ‘Dimagi Naxals,’ noting that while armed Naxalism has been eradicated from the forests, its ideological proponents continue to seek opportunities to promote violence and chaos.
