Fadnavis backs Modi’s ‘intellectual Naxals’ remark

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday (August 15, 2026) seconded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “intellectual Naxals” comment made during his Independence Day address in New Delhi.

Mr. Fadnavis said that while “armed Naxalism had been defeated, an ideological form of Naxalism prevails”. Addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, Mr. Modi said “intellectual Naxals” (dimagi Naxals) have become part of the system and continue to pose a threat to society. The Prime Minister urged citizens to “identify and isolate” them.

Backing Mr. Modi’s statement, Mr. Fadnavis said: “I think the Prime Minister has made a very appropriate reference. Naxalism with a gun has ended. But, we are seeing a more dangerous kind of ‘dimagi Naxalism’.”

“Unfortunately, we saw one such example even at today’s Congress programme. The decision to play the complete Vande Mataram on August 15 was taken within the constitutional powers of the country. If reports that Sonia Gandhi was unhappy because the full Vande Mataram was played are true, then what else can this be but ‘dimagi Naxalism’ among people whose minds are filled with anarchy,” he said.

Women’s reservation bill

On the Prime Minister’s pitch to move a Bill to reserve seats for women in Parliament, Mr. Fadnavis said parties opposing the proposal should understand the constitutional conditions attached to the 2023 legislation.

“Those who are selectively reacting to the PM’s appeal on women’s reservation should remember that when the women’s reservation legislation was approved through a constitutional amendment in 2023, two conditions were put in it. The first was completion of the Census and the second was delimitation after the Census. Only after these two processes can the women’s reservation be implemented,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously introduced the Bill to increase the number of seats in both Houses of Parliament alongside the women’s reservation Bill. The move was opposed by Opposition MPs, especially from southern states, as it could potentially reduce their representation. That Bill was defeated in a session four months ago.

“Today, the situation is the same as it was under the 2023 legislation. If women’s reservation is to be implemented under that law, the Census has to be completed and then delimitation has to be carried out. If you want another option, the only way is to support the new constitutional amendment that has been proposed,” he said.

He accused the Opposition of taking contradictory positions.

“In 2023, you supported the Bill with your vote. Therefore, you also know that women’s reservation cannot be given under that legislation without these two pre-conditions. If you genuinely want women’s reservation, then support the constitutional amendment and pass it with a two-thirds majority. Only then can women get reservation in 2029,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

Mr. Fadnavis also criticised Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for their absence from the Independence Day function, saying opposition to the BJP should not be equated with opposition to the country.