Rahul Gandhi challenges PM Modi over dimagi Naxals remark
The Congress leader challenged the Prime Minister to a debate on who is anti-national after Modi's comments in Chhattisgarh.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Prime Minister's claim that "dimagi Naxals" have taken control of various organisations. Addressing CRPF personnel, Gandhi stated that the security personnel did not believe the Prime Minister's lies, according to The Indian Express.
The Prime Minister had previously made these remarks while celebrating Diwali with security forces at a CRPF camp in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. Modi alleged that while armed Naxalites have vanished from forests, intellectual or "dimagi" Naxals have infiltrated political parties and other organisations to provoke people against democracy and the Constitution.
Gandhi reiterated a challenge to Modi to debate who is anti-national and who is controlled by foreign forces at any time and place. He added that he guarantees the Prime Minister will not have the guts to stand before a jawan again after such a debate.
Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja also criticised the Prime Minister, saying he must be ashamed of the statement. Raja argued that the term could be used to label anyone who opposes the government.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also criticised the remarks, stating that the Prime Minister used a solemn occasion to hurl invectives at political rivals. Ramesh described the comments as a brazen assault on institutional norms.