Kiren Rijiju says government aims to finish Dimagi Naxals
The Union Minister responded to Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks regarding ideological Naxals.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday that the government's next objective is to eliminate 'Dimagi Naxals'. According to the Times of India, Rijiju made these comments in response to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent statements.
Rijiju, who is also the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, stated on X that Gandhi should be grateful to the Prime Minister for the removal of armed Maoists. He noted that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had previously identified Left-Wing Extremism as the most significant internal security threat to India.
The dispute began after Prime Minister Modi addressed CRPF personnel during a Diwali event in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The Prime Minister claimed that while armed Naxalites have been cleared from forests, 'Dimagi Naxals' have entered various political parties and organisations to incite people against democracy and the Constitution.
Responding to the Prime Minister's comments, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the jawans did not believe the Prime Minister's claims. Gandhi challenged the Prime Minister to an open debate regarding accusations of being anti-national or being influenced by external powers.
The Janata Dal (United) also criticised the challenge. Rajya Sabha member and JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha described the move as a hit-and-run strategy, suggesting that Gandhi should instead participate in debates on the floor of Parliament.