New Delhi, August 15, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, highlighted what he called a new ideological challenge facing the country — “Dimaagi Naxal”. He said that while armed Naxalism has been tackled in the forests, individuals influenced by Maoist thinking continue to exist within the country’s power corridors.

“For years, individuals with a Maoist mindset had entrenched themselves within the corridors of power in the country. This Maoist ideology influenced policies, even through their roles as advisors on government committees. We have succeeded in eliminating armed Naxals in the forests and freeing the nation from that crisis,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister cautioned that although armed Naxals have been eliminated, “Dimagi Naxals” remain and are looking for opportunities to promote violence and discord. “However, while the armed Naxals are gone, 'Dimagi Naxals' remains, and those who harbor this mindset are waiting for an opportunity. They are paving the way for violence and discord. They are employing various tactics to drag society down the wrong path. We must identify these 'Dimagi Naxals.' We need to isolate them and align the nation's youth with the mainstream effort to transform the country into a developed nation,” he stressed.

His remarks broadened the focus from the fight against armed Naxalism to what he described as an ideological battle within society and institutions. PM Modi called for such elements to be identified and isolated while urging the country’s youth to stay connected with the broader effort to build a developed India.