Opposition Denounces PM's 'Dimagi Naxal' Remark, Demands Women's Quota

On Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to individuals with a "Naxal mentality" in his address from the Red Fort, drawing sharp reactions from Opposition parties. Leaders of the CPI(M), CPI, and TMC accused the Prime Minister of using labels to target dissent and questioned his linking of women's reservation to delimitation.

CPI(M) General Secretary M. A. Baby said that while his party firmly opposes Maoist ideology and methods, the government's handling of Maoists has violated legal and constitutional norms. He described the Prime Minister's reference to "dimagi Naxals" as an attempt to brand the Opposition as anti-national.

"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 added.

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

Turning to the issue of women's reservation, he appealed to all political parties to press the government to implement the quota for women in existing seats rather than 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.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja accused Mr. Modi of targeting dissenters even on a solemn national occasion. "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 added.

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. "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.

TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale also condemned the Prime Minister's remark, echoing similar demands for immediate implementation of the women's reservation without linking it to delimitation.