Opposition Slams PM Modi Over Dimagi Naxal Jibe

Opposition leaders on Saturday 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 Naxalism, 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.

"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," Baby told media.

"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.

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.