Rijiju Clarifies PM's 'Dimagi Naxal' Remark Not for Congress, Criticises Its Vande Mataram Stand

Union minister Kiren Rijiju, in an exclusive interview, said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "dimagi naxal" (mental Naxal) remark was not aimed at the Congress party or any individual who felt targeted. He also criticised the Congress over the controversy surrounding the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, at its Independence Day event.

Mr Rijiju said the Congress used to sing the full version of Vande Mataram in the past, but the party now sings only its party song. "The Congress party used to have full Vande Mataram singing in the past. Maybe later on they changed their stand. Now they sing only the Congress song. They don't sing the national song in the Congress party. But that was wrong," he told NDTV.

The controversy arose from a video of the Congress's Independence Day event, which showed party leader Sonia Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge gesticulating while Vande Mataram was being performed. The BJP claimed that Ms Gandhi had expressed displeasure at the singing of the full version. The Congress countered that Ms Gandhi was only asking staff to bring a chair for the 84-year-old Mr Kharge.

Mr Rijiju said the national song and the national anthem cannot be politicised. "These are the essence and the spirit of our nation. And everybody must sing it... The government has decided that the full Vande Mataram must be sung. Why should anybody have any objection?" he asked.

On the video controversy, he speculated that Ms Gandhi seemed agitated that the full song was being played, and that Rahul Gandhi had possibly said there was no need to sing. However, he also said one must see the entire proceedings to understand fully.

Regarding the Prime Minister's "dimagi naxal" remark, Mr Rijiju clarified that it was not directed at the Congress. "The Prime Minister has very clearly referred that the armed Naxal is almost extinct. The dimaagi Naxals still exist, and we have to tackle them. If any opposition leader or any Indian feels that it is addressed towards him, then he must be a Naxal or dimaagi Naxal," he said.

He added that PM Modi had made a clear statement that the armed struggle of the Naxals must be ended. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously said the armed Maoist movement was almost over. "They are no more a threat to the nation. However, some intellectuals who propagate the Maoist ideology, Naxalism, are still available in some urban areas. That is what PM Modi had referred to," Mr Rijiju said.

Asked about a protest led by opposition parties, Mr Rijiju drew a comparison with how he claimed the Congress had handled protests in the past. "By firing bullets. Peaceful protesters were killed. Hundreds and hundreds of people were killed during Congress time," he said.

He said this time the protest was peaceful, with no lathi charge. "When they tried to use students to further their political agenda, then there were some disturbances, but still the police and administration were absolutely professional in handling the entire thing. It is only when they forcefully tried to march towards Parliament House, then police physically prevented them. Obviously, you can't allow them to run into Parliament and burn down the entire Parliament House," he added.

The remarks come amid ongoing political tensions over these issues, with both the ruling party and the opposition exchanging accusations.