Modi’s ‘dimagi naxal’ remark sparks opposition backlash, Fadnavis backs

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said he was proud to be a 'dimagi naxal', hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day remark. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh had earlier called the term a sign of desperation, alleging that the government later accepts demands made by those it labels.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis backed Modi, calling 'dimagi naxalwad' dangerous. He targeted Sonia Gandhi for allegedly objecting to Vande Mataram, which the Congress denied. Fadnavis spoke amid controversy over the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, which critics say curbs dissent.

Modi said armed Naxalism was near its end but warned that people with Maoist thinking still threaten the nation. Opposition parties including CPI(M) and CPI said the label was an attempt to stigmatise dissent. The government has prioritised ending left-wing extremism since 2014.