‘Hathiyari naxals’ gone, now beware of ‘dimagi naxals’: PM Modi on Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has succeeded in uprooting Naxalism, which had affected large parts of the country for decades. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi also remembered more than 3,500 security personnel who were killed while protecting people during anti-Naxal operations.

The Prime Minister said Naxalism and Maoism had destroyed the dreams of lakhs of young people and kept a large population under the threat of guns for around four decades. He said the government had decided in 2014 to free the country from Naxalism.

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"Naxalism, Maoism destroyed the dreams of lakhs of youth. It stole the sons of numerous mothers, crushed the dreams of numerous mothers. This naxalism had kept a large part of India and population as a hostage for 4 decades with the barrel of a gun, they had destroyed the Constitution," PM Modi said during his Independence Day address.

He also paid tribute to police and security personnel who lost their lives during operations against Naxal groups.

"More than 3,500 security personnel were martyred while protecting the people of the country. More police personnel were killed than soldiers in war, police personnel had to put their lives on the line so that people can get security. This naxalism had covered the country in blood. In 2014, when you gave us the opportunity we had decided that we will rid the country of naxalism, and today I am happy to announce that naxalism does not have even the strength for breathing," the Prime Minister added.

Modi said that while armed Naxals operating in forests had been eliminated, the country also needed to identify and isolate what he described as "dimagi naxals", or people with Naxal thinking.

"For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life, even in government committees this thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from 'hathariya naxal' (armed naxal). Even if these naxals are gone, but the 'dimagi naxal' (people with naxal thinking), are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path. We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country," PM Modi said.

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The Prime Minister said development had also reached remote areas where progress was earlier affected by Naxalism. He said these areas were now witnessing development after the decline of armed Naxal activity.

During the Independence Day address, Modi also spoke about the challenges India has faced in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. He said the government's citizen-first approach helped the country deal with these situations.

"In the last 20-12 years, we have faced many dangers. As soon as we emerged from Covid, there was news of wars that started to arise from Ukraine side and West Asia. An atmosphere of tension prevailed. God knows what all the predictions the predictors made!," he said.

Modi also said some people had tried to create fear among citizens by spreading rumours over the availability of vaccines, petrol, diesel and fertilisers during periods of uncertainty.