Dimagi Naxal Row: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday launched a scathing attack at the Congress saying that the grand old party is turning into into a Maoist party” amid a political
row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on “dimagi Naxals”.
In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, the Union Minister said that the Prime Minister’s remarks were not targeted at a particular opposition party, however Congress leaders assumed the comments were aimed at them.
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He also referred to the National Advisory Council during the UPA government under Sonia Gandhi, alleging that it was “dominated by individuals holding such ideologies”.
“In a way, the Congress party has transformed itself into a Maoist and Naxalite entity. While the National Advisory Council under Sonia Gandhi was previously dominated by individuals holding such ideologies, the entire Congress party now appears to be turning into a Maoist party. Having already become akin to the Muslim League, they are now moving towards becoming a Maoist party as well,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the ‘Dimagi Naxal’ row, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “In a way, the Congress party has transformed itself into a Maoist and Naxalite entity. While the National Advisory Council under Sonia Gandhi was previously dominated by individuals… pic.twitter.com/JSYaeNGrhR
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2026
Who Are Dimagi Naxals?
Rijiju claimed that “ideological Naxalism” encompasses separatist tendencies and groups or individuals advocating positions such as restoration of Article 370 or attempts to create divisions between the Northeast and the rest of the country.
“I clearly explained what Naxalism means and who the ‘Dimagi Naxals’ are–those who advocate for the country’s fragmentation, support Article 370, or call for the separation of the Northeast. They show no empathy for the families of those who fall victim to Naxalism; whether it involves personnel from the Army, CRPF, SSB, BSF, ITBP, CISF, or NSG, these Maoists and intellectual Naxals celebrate when such individuals are killed. That is precisely what I mean by ‘Dimagi Naxals’–and one wonders if Congress itself subscribes to this view,” Rijiju added.
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He also accused such people of supporting Maoist ideology and showing no empathy towards security personnel killed in operations against Naxalism.
Rijiju said the term was not specifically aimed at opposition leaders, but questioned whether the Congress itself subscribed to the views he had described.
Rijiju Refers Manmohan Singh’s Remarks
Rijiju also invoked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 2006 remarks on Naxalism.
“The Prime Minister’s point–echoing what Manmohan Singh had also stated–is that Maoism and Naxalism pose the greatest threat to the country’s internal security and must be eradicated. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the armed Naxalites fighting against the nation have been largely eliminated. However, the underlying ideology persists in urban areas, and that too must be dealt with. Congress thought this was about them,” he said.
On Monday, he shared Singh’s statement on X in which the former Prime Minister had described Naxalism as the “single biggest internal security challenge” faced by the country.
Rijiju said Congress should apologise to Singh’s family for criticising the BJP’s position on Naxalism.
He reiterated that PM Modi’s assessment was similar to that of the former Prime Minister.
What PM Modi Said?
Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi warned about what he described as “ideological Naxalism” or “dimagi Naxalism” from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 80th Independence Day.
PM Modi said the government had fulfilled its pledge to free India from Naxal violence, adding that Maoist insurgents no longer had the strength to survive in regions that were once affected by armed conflict.
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“For years, people with a Maoist mindset sat occupying spaces within the corridors of power in the country. Even as advisors in government committees, this Maoist mindset influenced policies,” the prime minister said.
He drew a distinction between armed Maoist insurgents and those he alleged continue to subscribe to Maoist ideology. “We succeeded in eliminating the armed Naxals in the forests and freeing the country from that crisis. But the armed Naxals are gone. However, ideological Naxalism (dimagi Naxalism), this ideological Naxalism is looking for an opportunity,” he said.
The remark triggered a political response, with senior Congress leader P Chidambaram saying he was proud to be a “dimagi naxal”.
Rijiju then later said that PM Modi had not specifically referred to opposition leaders as “dimagi naxals”.
(With inputs from ANI)
