‘Dimagi Naxal’ remark worked like homeopathic pill, critics revealed themselves: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday revived his “Dimagi Naxal” remark, saying the expression he used in his Independence Day speech had worked like a “homeopathic pill” and prompted those he was referring to to come out in the open.

Addressing students at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in Delhi, Modi said he had coined the term during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

“I coined the term ‘Dimagi Naxal’ on I-Day,” Modi said, describing it as a reference to people he accused of promoting a particular agenda.

‘All Dimagi Naxals came out’

Explaining his homeopathy analogy, Modi said such medicines can initially make the symptoms of an illness appear more pronounced.

He drew a parallel with the reaction to his Independence Day remark, saying those he had in mind responded publicly after he used the term.

“The moment I mentioned the ‘pill of homoeopathic Dimagi Naxal’, all Dimagi Naxals came out,” Modi said.

He then warned those who had reacted to the remark that their responses had made them identifiable.

“Those who came out as Dimagi Naxals, I want to tell you that the country is watching you,” he said.

The “Dimagi Naxal” remark had triggered a political debate after Modi first used the expression in his Independence Day speech. Critics had questioned the term, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju subsequently sought to explain whom the government believed it referred to.
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Modi warns Pakistan, says terrorism ‘on the back foot’

Modi also used the SRCC platform to reiterate his warning to Pakistan, saying India would respond if the neighbouring country attempted terrorist activities on Indian soil.

He said terrorism was now “on the back foot” and claimed that India’s armed forces would enter Pakistani territory and strike back if there was another “misadventure”.

The Prime Minister also said peace had expanded from Jammu and Kashmir to the Northeast and claimed that the “back of Maoist terrorism and Naxalism has been broken”.

He contrasted what he described as the earlier era of “policy paralysis” with what he called “policy dynamism”.
Also read | ‘Yes, I am a brainwashed Naxal’: Kejriwal hits back at PM Modi’s ‘dimagi Naxal’

From ‘Fragile Five’ to 7.8% growth

Revisiting his 2013 visit to SRCC, when he was Gujarat chief minister, Modi contrasted the economic situation he recalled from that period with India’s current performance.

He said India had then been described as one of the “Fragile Five”, referring to concerns over economic growth, inflation and the current account deficit.

Modi said growth was then “at the bottom” while inflation was “at the peak”. He contrasted that with India’s reported 7.8 per cent quarterly growth and said the performance had strengthened confidence in the economy.

He also referred to the challenges facing India at the time, including corruption allegations, security incidents and what he described as policy paralysis.
Also read | ‘The only jobless people left’: Piyush Goyal hits back at critics over India’s 7.8% GDP growth

SRCC alumni are the ‘OGs’

The Prime Minister also praised SRCC's century-long contribution to education and public life, describing its alumni as the “OGs” in the language of today's students.

Modi recalled the institution's journey from its beginnings in Daryaganj to becoming one of India's leading centres of higher education.

“From a small place in Daryaganj, this college began its journey. Today, that small college has grown into a banyan tree,” he said.

He highlighted alumni who have made contributions across economics, politics, law, art and the judiciary.

Modi also fondly remembered former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, an SRCC alumnus, saying Jaitley frequently shared stories from his college days during their meetings.

He also mentioned economist Sanjeev Sanyal, who is part of his team, among the institution's alumni.

Modi returns to SRCC after 13 years

The visit marked Modi's return to SRCC after nearly 13 years. He had earlier addressed students at the institution in 2013, when he was Gujarat chief minister.

The centenary celebrations coincided with Teachers' Day. SRCC, established in 1926, is part of Delhi University and is recognised as a leading institution for commerce, economics and management.

Looking ahead, Modi said India could emerge as a major manufacturing hub, build its own space station and host the Olympics in a manner that would attract global attention.

His address combined political messaging with a reflection on SRCC's legacy, India's economic trajectory and the ambitions he outlined for the country in the years ahead.