Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on 15th August, spoke about what he called a new form of the Naxal threat, “Dimagi Naxals”. He said that while armed Naxals operating in forests have been largely eliminated, people with what he described as a “Naxal mentality” still exist in positions of influence and need to be identified and isolated.
Recalling the impact of Naxal violence, Modi said the “Red Terror” had kept several parts of the country under fear for years. He pointed out that more than 3,500 security personnel had lost their lives in operations to protect people from Maoist violence.
The Prime Minister said the number of security personnel killed in such operations was even higher than the number of people who die in wars. He recalled that after his government came to power in 2014, it had made a commitment to eliminate Naxalism from the country.
“When we came to power in 2014, we swore to rid the country of Naxals. I am happy Maoist violence is taking its last breath,” Modi said.
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "People with a Maoist mindset had carved out a place for themselves in the corridors of power within the nation. Even as advisors in government committees, this Maoist ideology exerted influence over national policies. My dear fellow… pic.twitter.com/ALNe0itsi2
— IANS (@ians_india) August 15, 2026
‘Dimagi Naxals’ in power corridors
Modi said the government had succeeded in pushing armed Naxals out of several forest areas, but claimed that people influenced by Maoist thinking had earlier found space in government committees and power corridors.
“For years, those with Naxal mentality had their place in the power corridors. They were in government committees as advisors. Maoist thinking impacted policies,” he said.
According to PM Modi, these “dimagi naxals” are now looking for opportunities to create violence and unrest and to push society in what he described as the “wrong path”. “These ‘dimagi Naxals’ have to be identified and isolated, and connect the youth with the mainstream,” he said.
Development reaching former Naxal areas
Modi also highlighted the development taking place in areas that were once heavily affected by Naxalism. He said several remote regions that were earlier considered difficult to develop because of the presence of Maoists are now witnessing progress.
The Prime Minister said areas that were once held back by violence are now seeing development and a stronger presence of the state.
He said the change shows how the country has moved from being held hostage by the “barrel of a gun” to seeing the “flag of development” fly in regions that were once affected by Naxal violence.
