'Dimagi Naxal' remark a brazen assault: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "Dimagi Naxals" remarks, accusing him of using the occasion of Diwali to target political rivals and alleging that his comments reflected a pattern of branding those who disagreed with his govt.In a post on X, the Rajya Sabha MP said that Modi had not spared the country even on Diwali and objected to his remarks during his visit to Bastar, where he referred to "Dimagi Naxals"."The Prime Minister has not spared the nation even on Diwali day his trademark abuse. He has once again spoken of what he calls dimagi naxals. He has used a very solemn non-political occasion, donned the uniform of the security forces, and hurled invectives at his political rivals.

This is a brazen assault on all institutional norms, but when has that ever stopped this man?" the Congress leader said.Citing PM's earlier remarks on those demanding a caste census, Ramesh said Modi had described them as "urban naxals" on April 28, 2024, but later announced on April 30, 2025, that a caste census would be conducted as part of Census 2027.Ramesh also referred to the farmers' protest against the three farm laws, alleging that PM Modi had called those opposing the laws supporters of a Naxal ideology in Sept 2020 before withdrawing the laws on Nov 19, 2021."The PM is clearly distraught, disturbed and desperate. Jhola-picking-up time is fast approaching," Ramesh added.