Union Minister Says Government Will Target "Dimagi Naxals" After Rahul Gandhi's Criticism

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju posted on X that the government's next target is to finish "Dimagi Naxals," urging Rahul Gandhi to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for eliminating armed Maoists. Rijiju referenced former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's description of left-wing extremism as a major internal security threat.

Rahul Gandhi, addressing Central Reserve Police Force personnel, rejected Modi's remarks, saying the jawans did not believe the prime minister's statements and challenging him to a debate on who is "anti-national" or influenced by foreign forces. Gandhi wrote, "He called us Naxals. My challenge stands. Let him debate me on who is anti-national and who is controlled by foreign forces. Any time, any place. My guarantee: after the debate, the PM won’t have the guts to stand in front of a single jawan again."

Modi had earlier told a CRPF camp in Chhattisgarh that while armed Maoists have been eliminated, "Dimagi Naxals" have infiltrated political parties and organisations, urging the identification and defeat of such elements. The opposition has accused the prime minister of using the term to delegitimize democratic dissent.