‘Dimaagi Naxals’ must be identified and isolated: PM Modi’s sharp I-Day warning

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said armed Naxalism has been weakened but warned of an ideological challenge from ‘dimaagi Naxals’

PGurus Newsdesk

August 15, 2026

PM Modi warned against ‘dimaagi Naxals’ in his Independence Day speech, calling for their identification and isolation while urging youth to stay connected with the mainstream

PM Modi paid tribute to security personnel killed in the anti-Naxal fight while declaring that the armed insurgency had been pushed to the brink

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday issued a sharp warning against what he described as “dimaagi Naxals”, saying that while armed Naxalism has been pushed to the brink, an ideological challenge continues to exist. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on India’s 80th Independence Day, PM Modi called for such elements to be identified and isolated.

PM Modi said India had made significant progress in its fight against armed Naxalism, which had kept large parts of the country under violence for decades. He paid tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives fighting the insurgency and said the movement had been weakened substantially.

However, he cautioned that the ideological ecosystem associated with Naxalism and Maoism had not disappeared.

‘Dimaagi Naxals’ looking for opportunities

PM Modi drew a distinction between armed Naxals and what he called “dimaagi Naxals”, alleging that the latter continue to look for opportunities to create unrest and push society in what he described as the wrong direction.

“For years, those with Naxal mentality had their place in the power corridors,” PM Modi said, referring to the influence he alleged Maoist thinking had exercised over policy and institutions.

He said the country had succeeded in tackling armed Naxalism in forests and remote areas, but warned that ideological extremism remained a challenge.

“These ‘dimagi Naxals’ have to be identified and isolated, and connect the youth with the mainstream,” PM Modi said.

Focus shifts from armed insurgency to ideological challenge

The Prime Minister’s remarks signal a broader framing of the government’s anti-Naxal campaign, shifting attention from armed insurgents to what he characterised as ideological sympathisers or propagators.

PM Modi also linked the issue to India’s younger generation, calling for efforts to ensure that youth are not drawn towards ideologies that could fuel violence or social unrest.

His warning came as part of a wider Independence Day address focused on national security, development, self-reliance and India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047.

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