‘Attempt to stigmatise dissent’: Opposition hits out at PM Modi over ‘dimagi Naxal’ jibe

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday (August 15, 2026) said that people raising their voices for their rights were not anti-national and extended the party’s support to peaceful protests by Gen Z, as the Opposition criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “dimagi Naxals” remark.

Addressing the Independence Day function at the All India Congress Committee headquarters, Mr. Kharge said attempts to label those questioning the government as anti-national were contrary to the values for which the freedom struggle was fought. “Gen Z, which raises its voice for its rights, is not anti-national,” he said, adding that the Congress would stand with movements concerning people’s rights.

Multiple Opposition parties objected to Mr. Modi’s use of the term “dimagi Naxals” (intellectually Naxals) in his Independence Day address, alleging that it was an attempt to stigmatise dissent and intimidate those questioning the government. They also criticised his appeal for political parties to help implement 33% reservation for women in legislatures, alleging that the government had itself kept the quota in abeyance by linking it to delimitation.

Also read: Independence Day LIVE updates

Mr. Kharge said Independence meant freedom not merely from foreign rule but from poverty, discrimination, untouchability, unemployment, injustice and fear. He credited successive Congress governments with building institutions and introducing rights-based legislation, including the right to information, education, food and work. He accused the Modi government of taking credit for the work of earlier governments and said the “real celebration of independence” would come when the poor were heard, young people could fulfil their dreams and no one feared speaking truth to power.

Independence Day 2026: PM Modi leads India in commemorating 80 years of freedom | In Photos

Young artistes dressed in traditional attire take part in a cultural performance during the Independence Day celebrations at the Police Barracks in Visakhapatnam on August 15

Young artistes dressed in traditional attire take part in a cultural performance during the Independence Day celebrations at the Police Barracks in Visakhapatnam on August 15.

Patriotic spirits soar as locals gather to hoist the National Flag in front of the historic Charminar monument in Hyderabad, marking India’s milestone 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

PM Modi inspects the Guard of Honour at the Red Fort during the 80th Independence Day celebration, in New Delhi on August 15, 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day.

Two IAF Mi-17 helicopters conducted a flower-petal shower over the venue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, said sectors that were once seen as “no-go” areas are now “go-ahead” areas.

India is going to host 2030 CWG; we want to host 2036 Olympics, Mr. Modi said. Before the 2036 Olympics, we need to expand into sporting disciplines in which we never used to qualify earlier, he added.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the youth gathered at the Red Fort. Mr. Modi, In his 13th consecutive Independence Day address to the nation, assured the youth of resources and support, as he highlighted the growth of India’s startup ecosystem and the government’s ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund to support ideas and capabilities.

For the first time, the National Song Vande Mataram was rendered during Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort on August 15, 2026.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hoists the tricolour flag at the AICC HQ, Indira Bhawan, in New Delhi. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and former president of the AICC Sonia Gandhi are also seen.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during the 80th Independence Day celebration at Chhatrasal Stadium in New Delhi. The event featured parades and patriotic performances by schoolchildren and NCC cadets.

A young child sprints through Mumbai with the Tricolour held high, radiating pure joy during the Independence Day celebrations.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on August 15, 2026, assured cooperation to the Union government on administrative matters and asserted that, however, his government will always oppose policies going against the State’s rights.

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan hoisted the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Satheesan reviewed the various platoons and received the salute from marching contingents of the police, NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides and Student Police Cadets.

Students perform a vibrant cultural programme during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu addresses the gathering after hoisting the national flag during the Independence Day celebrations in Amaravati.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan inspects the ceremonial parade during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the District Police Grounds in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Kalyan asked the youth to think before believing something, question before following, and inquire before taking a decision.

Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy salutes the national flag after hoisting it and inspecting the Guard of Honour by the territorial police, at Gandhi Thidal on Beach Road. The Chief Minister said his government was according priority to protection and security of women and children in the Union Territory.

Schoolchildren perform a cultural programme during the Independence Day celebrations held at VOC Stadium in Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

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He also attacked the government over the treatment of protesting students, parliamentary accountability and the alleged theft of donations made to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said questions over gold, silver and other offerings at the temple should be answered and those responsible for any theft brought to book. Mr. Kharge also alleged government interference in institutions such as the judiciary, Election Commission, universities and investigative agencies.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Mr. Modi had first described his opponents as “urban Naxals” and was now calling them “dimagi Naxals”, terming it a “sure sign of his desperation”. Mr. Ramesh also termed the Prime Minister’s pitch for women’s reservation “dishonest”, pointing out that the legislation passed in 2023 was not implemented in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Congress president Mr. Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister was claiming credit for all that the Congress has done and warned that “he may bring the national flag down one day”. He also accused the Prime Minister of speaking lies from the Red Fort, as he targeted him on the issues of Ram temple donations “theft” and police action against students.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister first attacked his opponents as “urban Naxals” and is now calling them “dimaagi Naxals”.

Communist Party of India General Secretary D. Raja addressing a press conference at Ajoy Bhawan in New Delhi. File
| Photo Credit:
Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav urged the government to implement women’s reservation in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. “The Red Fort is not a place from where one should speak lies,” he said.

CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby called the “dimagi Naxal” charge an “atrocious allegation”.

“This is a very convenient accusation that they are Maoists in their mind,” he said. He added that women’s reservation should be implemented in existing seats rather than being linked to delimitation.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the Red Fort is not the place from where one should speak lies, and urged the Centre to implement the Women Reservation Bill in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

CPI(M) General Secretary M. A. Baby said, “They always wanted to accuse people in the Opposition that they are anti-national. This is a very convenient accusation that they are Maoist in their mind. It is an atrocious allegation.” On women’s reservation, he said all political parties should press the government to implement the quota in the existing seats, instead of linking it to delimitation.

CPI general secretary D. Raja said Mr. Modi had chosen to target dissenters even on Independence Day. “This is nothing but an attempt to stigmatise dissent and intimidate those who question the government,” he said, asking the Prime Minister to answer questions from students and young people on education and employment.