‘Attempt to stigmatise dissent’: Opposition hits out at PM Modi over ‘dimagi Naxal’ jibe

Opposition leaders described the Prime Minister's reference to individuals with a “Naxal mentality" as an attempt to target the Opposition.

Updated - August 15, 2026 05:22 pm IST - New Delhi

CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby addresses a media briefing on the deliberations of the Central Committee meeting of the CPI(M). File | Photo Credit: ANI

Opposition leaders on Saturday (August 15, 2026) hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "dimagi Naxals" reference in his Independence Day address, accusing him of using labels to target dissent, while also tearing into his appeal to parties to implement women's reservation and questioning the linking of it with delimitation.

CPI(M) General Secretary M. A. Baby stated that while his party opposes Maoism, they accuse the government of violating the law and the Constitution in its handling of Maoists. He described the Prime Minister's reference to individuals with a "Naxal mentality" as an attempt to target the Opposition.

Also read: Independence Day LIVE updates

"Naxalism is a political perspective and approach with which we all fully disagree. We don't support the modus operandi of Maoists or Naxals. They take up arms and don't participate in general democratic political activity," Mr. Baby told PTI Videos.

"But now, his narrative is that urban Naxals are there; now he says 'people with Naxal mentality'... They always want to accuse people in opposition that they are anti-national, and to go to Pakistan. This is a very convenient accusation that they are Maoist in their mind. It is an atrocious allegation," he said.

Mr. Baby also accused the Modi government of engaging in "State terrorism" regarding its treatment of arrested Maoists, alleging that some individuals were shot dead in custody rather than being subjected to legal proceedings.

On the topic of women's reservation, he urged all political parties to press the government to implement the quota for women in existing seats instead of linking it to delimitation.

"All political parties would like to appeal to the prime minister to stop double standards regarding women's reservation. We are for reservation for women in existing seats. He is linking delimitation and women's reservation. Bring it separately; we will show support," he said.

Communist Party of India General Secretary D. Raja addressing a press conference at Ajoy Bhawan in New Delhi. File | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

CPI general secretary D. Raja accused Mr. Modi of targeting dissenters even on Independence Day, describing the term "dimagi Naxal" as another way to stigmatise those who question the government.

"Prime Minister Modi finds time and opportunity to target dissenters even on a solemn national occasion like Independence Day, conveniently forgetting what the people of India are asking of him and his government," Mr. Raja said.

"To the baseless categories repeatedly conjured up by the Right Wing: 'anti-national', 'tukde-tukde gang' and others, Modi has now added another absurd label: 'dimagi naxal'. This is nothing but an attempt to stigmatise dissent and intimidate those who question the government," he said.

Mr. Raja urged the Prime Minister to address the concerns raised by students and young people regarding education and employment.

"India's youth and students are on the streets demanding educational and employment reforms. Did you answer their questions? Why have nearly a lakh government schools been closed? Why has public education been allowed to deteriorate so badly? Why are millions of young people struggling for secure employment?" he asked.

CPI Rajya Sabha MP P. Sandosh Kumar asserted that the government has no justification for delaying the women's quota when all parties support the legislation.

"All parties are supporting the bill, so what prevents the prime minister and his colleagues from implementing reservation for women? The answer is very simple. Our position was very clear: out of the 543 seats, 181 seats must be reserved for women, without any delay," Mr. Kumar said.

He alleged that the BJP deliberately linked women's reservation with delimitation, asserting that the quota should be implemented independently and without waiting for the exercise.

"If these people are serious, and if this is not merely rhetoric, they should implement one-third reservation for women as early as possible," he said.

Saket Gokhale addresses the media. File | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale also attacked Mr. Modi's remarks, accusing him of using the Independence Day platform to target his critics.