Devendra Fadnavis Backs PM Modi Remark on Intellectual Naxalism in Mumbai
MUMBAI — Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "dimagi naxals" (intellectual naxals) remark on Saturday, stating that while armed naxalism has been brought under control, "dimagi naxalwad" remains even more dangerous because it exists within people's minds.
Speaking to the media after an Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony in Mumbai, Fadnavis criticised former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, describing her as an example of "dimagi naxalwad". He alleged that Gandhi had objected to singing the full version of Vande Mataram during a Congress Independence Day event.
"What should we call this, if not 'dimagi Naxalwad', 'arajakta' (chaos), and an insult to constitutional authority?" Fadnavis said during his address to reporters.
The Congress denied the allegations, clarifying that Gandhi had raised no objections to the singing of the national song and was instead asking for a chair for party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The remarks follow the passage of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act by the state legislature in July 2025. The legislation was enacted to address unlawful activities connected to left-wing extremist organisations, though it faced opposition from civil society groups and critics who expressed concern over its potential use against dissent and civil liberties.
During the media briefing, Fadnavis also addressed queries concerning security arrangements for NCP MLC Zeeshan Siddique, who recently received several death threats. Fadnavis clarified that Siddique's security had not been withdrawn and that police protection remains in place.
Fadnavis added that he had personally instructed the Mumbai police commissioner to evaluate threat perceptions and provide additional security to Siddique as requested. Siddique's father, former NCP leader Baba Siddique, was shot dead by three assailants on a Mumbai street on October 12, 2024.
