New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday renewed his attack on what he calls "Dimagi Naxals", saying they had started coming out one after another following his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort.
Addressing students and staff at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in Delhi during its centenary celebrations, Modi said his "Dimagi Naxal" remark had worked like a homeopathic pill, bringing those he described as such into the open.
"You may have heard my speech from Red Fort. I gave a homeopathic pill from the Red Fort—"Dimagi Naxal". According to the principles of homeopathy, when you begin homeopathic treatment, the disease initially gets worse. That is the nature of homeopathy. Similarly, as soon as I gave the "Dimagi Naxal" homeopathic pill, all the "Dimagi Naxals" started coming out one after another. And now the public is also seeing the true colours of those who are promoting this illness,” said the PM.
The "Dimagi Naxal" remark was first made by Modi in his Independence Day address, when he called for such people to be identified and isolated. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju later clarified that the term was not aimed at Opposition leaders but at people who support Maoists and separatists or reject the Constitution.
Modi slams critics
He also explained how the BJP government led by him faced issues including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis triggered by the West Asia war.
“Every time, people said, "Now India will not survive." And those who are my biggest admirers were happy, thinking, "Now Modi is trapped. Now Modi has fallen. Now they will crush him." But the blessings of the people of my country have so much strength, so much strength, that every wish of those who want India to fail is being left unfulfilled,” he said.
Training his guns at the critics of his government, he declared that no one can stop India from doing what is necessary for the country. Calling the people who oppose the government projects 'Naraz Fufa,' he argued that such people questioned everything, including the construction of the world's tallest statue in India, the new parliament building, and the introduction of UPI.
“We built a memorial for our brave military heroes who dedicated their lives and made the supreme sacrifice for the country. The "Fufa" came onto the field again and asked, "What was the need for this?" But India gave an answer to all these "Fufas." No one can stop India from doing what is necessary for the country,” he said.
He said the country has come a long way from policy paralysis in 2013 to policy dynamism, but those responsible for pushing India into the 'fragile 5' are now unable to digest its 7.8 per cent growth.
'I see the glass as fully filled'
Modi recalled that his address at SRCC in 2013 as Gujarat chief minister had made a "wave" and even today, 13-14 years later, its impact remains intact.
"In 2013, when I came to SRCC, I presented a vision. Whatever I said back then was my conviction. I have always lived by those words. Dedicating my life to the nation was an emotion that took the form of words. I gave the example of a glass filled with water. Some people see the glass as half full. Some say it is half empty," PM Modi said.
"I said there are people who can see the glass as fully filled, half with water and half with air."
It was a time, Prime Minister Modi said, when the country was lacking hope.
"So I said, 'I see the glass as fully filled'. At that time, development was at its lowest; inflation had hit the skies. At that time, scandals were at their peak, and the corrupt roamed fearlessly. Terrorists were unrestrained, and Pakistan was out of control.
"Today, those spreading terrorism are trounced. If Pakistan indulges in any nefarious act, the Indian army enters their home and strikes; the back of Naxalism has been broken…from policy paralysis to policy dynamism, India has come a long way.
"They once called us the 'Fragile Five'. Today, they are talking about India as the fastest-growing major economy," he added.
Modi said there were some who questioned his optimism and raised doubts about initiatives like 'Make in India'.
India's 7.8 per cent GDP growth amid global uncertainty reflects its economic strength, Modi said, adding that those responsible for pushing India into the 'fragile 5' are now unable to digest it.
The prime minister noted that people have revisited his 2013 address and even today, the impact of that address remains intact.
"I would urge the youth to look at what the situation was back then, in 2013, and look at the headlines of that time. Newspaper headlines were filled with-- Indian soldiers killed along the LoC, World Bank lowers India’s growth forecast, current account deficit at an all-time high, inflation rate at 10 per cent.
"I am sure the youth is not aware of what the situation was like then."
Lauding SRCC for shaping generations, PM referred to college alumni as "OG", striking a chord with Gen Z.
Modi's visit to the SRCC comes amid the BJP's ongoing outreach to the young generation.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
