"Does anybody opposed to PM Modi is an urban naxal?": Jairam Ramesh
Jan 20, 2026
New Delhi [India], January 20 : Congress MP and General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking clarification over the use of the term "urban naxal" during his address at the BJP headquarters.
In an X post, Jairam Ramesh asked PM Modi, to clarify if anybody opposed to him will be termed an 'urban naxal'. The Congress leader cited the Union Home Ministry's answer in Rajya Sabha in 2020, which said that the ministry does not use the term.
"The PM spoke today of the danger from what he called 'urban naxals.' On March 11 2020, the Minister of State of Home answered a question in the Rajya Sabha, saying that the Union Home Ministry does not use the phrase 'urban naxals.' On April 29 2024, the PM himself accused those calling for a caste census and those expressing concern on economic inequalities as suffering from an 'urban naxal' mindset. Will the PM clarify or does he believe that anybody opposed to him is an urban naxal?" the Congress MP said.
In 2020, the Home Ministry stated, "The phrase 'Urban Naxals' is not used by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. However, the Government of India's National Policy and Action Plan addresses Left Wing Extremism in all its manifestations, including the urban activities."
Earlier today, PM Modi raised concerns over the growing influence of 'urban Naxalism', saying it has increasingly acquired international dimensions and continues to work against India.
Addressing partyworkers at the BJP national headquarters in the national capital, as Nitin Nabin assumed charge as its National President, PM Modi said, "Another major challenge is urban Naxalism. The scope of urban Naxalism is becoming international. If they tweet something positive about Modi even once or twice a year, or say something positive on TV, or write something positive in a newspaper, some journalists humiliate them so much that they are hounded and made untouchable. They are silenced so that they can never speak again. This is the method of urban Naxalism."
"Now the country is understanding the actions of these urban Naxals. Urban Naxals are continuously working to harm India," PM Modi added.
