‘Jhola-Picking-Up Time’: Congress Sharpens Attack Over PM Modi’s ‘Dimagi Naxals’ Remark
New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of breaching established institutional conventions by describing political rivals as “Dimagi Naxals” during his Diwali engagement with security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
In a post on X, Ramesh objected to the Prime Minister’s decision to use a solemn festive occasion involving security forces to attack political adversaries, alleging that Modi had once again resorted to his characteristic abusive rhetoric.
“The Prime Minister has not spared the nation even on Diwali day his trademark abuse. He has once again spoken of what he calls dimagi naxals,” Ramesh said.
Congress Cites Earlier Remarks
Describing the Prime Minister’s comments as “a brazen assault on all institutional norms”, the Congress leader alleged that Modi had repeatedly attempted to portray those critical of his government as sympathisers of Naxal ideology, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Ramesh referred to Modi’s April 2024 remarks against advocates of a caste census, whom the Prime Minister had reportedly labelled “urban Naxals”. He noted that the Centre later announced in April 2025 that a caste census would be carried out alongside Census 2027.
The Congress leader also recalled the farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws, alleging that Modi had in September 2020 accused opponents of the legislation of adhering to a Naxal ideology. The government ultimately withdrew the laws in November 2021.
“The PM is clearly distraught, disturbed and desperate. Jhola-picking-up time is fast approaching,” he added.
Modi’s Bastar Address
Earlier on Sunday, while celebrating Diwali with security personnel in Bastar, Modi said that although armed Naxalites had been removed from forests, the danger from Naxalism was still not over.
He claimed that “Dimagi Naxals” had gained influence in several organisations and political parties, and were trying to turn people against the Constitution and democracy.
“Naxalites have been eliminated, but the threat is not yet over,” Modi said. He added that while armed Naxalites had been driven out of the forests, “Dimagi Naxals” still posed a challenge.
The Prime Minister also said that earlier governments had restricted the freedom of security personnel fighting Naxalism. He claimed that his government had instead given them the power to take decisions and act against Left-Wing Extremism.