‘Imperative to identify, isolate dimaagi Naxals’: PM Modi in Independence Day speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned against what he described as “dimagi Naxals” (intellectual Naxals), saying that while the government had won against armed Maoists, people sympathetic to the ideology were still looking for opportunities to influence and “brainwash” the youth. He said it is imperative to identify and isolate such ‘dimaagi Naxal.”

“LWE extremism destroyed the future of lakhs of youths. Naxal violence and ideology snatched the children of so many mothers. This Naxal violence, for many decades, had controlled a large part of the country and ruled by the gun,” he said.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day, the prime minister said Maoists did not believe in the Constitution and noted that thousands of security personnel and police officers had been martyred fighting the insurgency.

“In 2014, we vowed to end Naxalism. Where once the Maoists’ bullets rang out, today, in the same areas, the tricolour of development, trust and efforts is flying. But we must not underestimate this challenge and must remain alert. For many years, people with Maoist ideology were sitting within the country, having made their place in the corridors of thought, sitting in government committees and as advisers. This Maoist ideology influenced policies. We have achieved success against armed Naxalism in the jungles, but while armed Naxalism has gone, ‘dimagi Naxals’ are looking for an opportunity. They are looking for opportunities to brainwash [people]. It is imperative to identify and isolate them while connecting the youth with the goal of building a developed India,” he said.

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The government had declared India Naxal-free on March 30, 2026. Currently there are no Naxal-affected districts in India. At the peak of LWE violence in the mid-2000s, there were more than 120 districts where Naxal armies ran their own parallel system of government. Even as the Centre declared the country Naxal-free, security forces are still posted in such hotspot areas to ensure that people are not influenced by anyone to pick up the gun again.

Civil defence volunteers

PM Modi also announced the setting up of a stronger and modern network of civil defence volunteers, saying India must be prepared to deal with challenges both within the country and across its borders.

PM Modi said the modern civil defence network across the country will be in line with the changing nature of warfare.

“I announce today that we will build a vibrant Civil Defence network in the coming days. We will familiarise them with modern systems. What measures can protect citizens from modern-day challenges? We are going to create a large modern Civil Defence volunteer force capable of overcoming contemporary challenges,” he said.

“Making India safe is the responsibility of all of us. Whether the challenge is within the borders or outside the borders, India is prepared for every situation. Today, the nature of war is changing. There is no guarantee that war happens only at the border. Today, war can happen inside the country. They can target a refinery, the banking sector or data centre. A new form of warfare is emerging against infrastructure. ….but at the same time, we will have to prepare the citizens,” PM Modi said.

During Operation Sindoor, the government roped in the Directorate General (Fire Service, Civil Defence & Home Guards), a federal agency under the Home Ministry, to hold mock drills across the country and engage civil defence volunteers.

Following the brief military conflict with Pakistan, the agency is also updating its manual related to the drills which were found to be “vintage, old and in need of review.” Additionally the government is also in the process of enrolling more volunteers in civil defence and has tasked the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

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Officials said that currently there are around half a million(5.95 lakh) civil defence volunteers registered, and more than a hundred thousand citizens sent applications through different portals to register after Op Sindoor. The government in a reply to a Parliament question on July 29 had said that key lessons learnt and action points during the drills included modernisation of Air Raid Warning System, training and capacity building of Civil Defence volunteers, enrolment of volunteers from diverse backgrounds as well as community awareness drives. After 2025’s Op Sindoor, the training courses have also intensified and increased for the civil volunteers in the last several months.

The Directorate General, Civil Defence was established by MHA on 17 November, 1962. Civil defence volunteers assist the government during times of war. Their responsibilities are tasked in different phases such as peace time phase, preparatory phase and war time phase. HT had on December 26, 2025 reported that the agency has hired experts and is preparing an updated war manual to be applicable across the country.