# Kiren Rijiju Clarifies PM Modi's 'Dimagi Naxal' Remark, Cites Sharjeel Imam's Speech Video

> Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that PM Narendra Modi's 'Dimagi Naxal' remark was not aimed at opposition leaders, explaining three specific categories of such individuals and sharing a speech clip of jailed student leader Sharjeel Imam.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Politics · **Published:** 2026-08-17 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/politics/pm-modi-ke-dimagi-naksala-vale-bayana-para-kiren-rijiju-ne-di-saphai-sharjeel-imam-ke-vidiyo-ka-diya-havala-17622 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Kiren Rijiju, Narendra Modi, Sharjeel Imam, Dimagi Naxal, Siliguri Corridor, Independence Day, UAPA

Political discussions have intensified following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mention of "Dimagi Naxals" (intellectual Naxals) during his 80th Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort. A day after the speech, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju offered a detailed clarification regarding the remark. Writing on the social media platform X, Rijiju clarified that the Prime Minister's comment was not aimed at opposition political figures. To illustrate the government's position, he outlined three specific categories of individuals covered under the term and shared a video clip of a speech by jailed student leader Sharjeel Imam.

## Three Categories Outlined by Kiren Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the term "Dimagi Naxals" was not coined to discredit political dissent, but rather to identify entities actively undermining the Constitution and national integration. He categorized such individuals into three distinct groups

- **Maoist Supporters:** Individuals who provide ideological backing to armed Maoist movements and reject the authority of the Indian Constitution.
- **Separatist Allies:** Elements that align themselves with separatist causes and demand the restoration of Article 370.
- **Threats to Strategic Corridors:** Those who advocate severing the Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the "Chicken's Neck," which connects the Northeastern states to the rest of mainland India.

## Reference to Sharjeel Imam's Speech Clip
To substantiate his post, Rijiju shared an audio-visual excerpt of a speech delivered by student activist Sharjeel Imam. The speech was made during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) held in Delhi and Aligarh. In the recording, Imam advocated taking strategic actions along the Siliguri Corridor to sever the connection between Assam, the broader Northeast, and the rest of India as a method to coerce the central government into listening to their demands.

During the speech, Imam suggested that organized blockades of major road networks and railway lines could temporarily isolate Northeastern India. He contended that cutting off military movement and logistics supply lines through the Chicken's Neck was a necessary duty to compel government authorities to respond to the demonstrations.

## Legal Charges and Current Status of Sharjeel Imam
Following these remarks, law enforcement agencies initiated strict legal proceedings against Sharjeel Imam. He was arrested on January 28, 2020, and has remained incarcerated for 6 years. The legal cases against him include charges under Section 124A (Sedition) and Section 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Furthermore, provisions of the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), have also been invoked against him.

## PM Modi's Independence Day Address and Opposition Response
In his address on the 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the country had achieved significant success in neutralizing armed Naxalism in forest regions. However, he warned that ideological supporters of Naxalism continue to search for opportunities to spread chaos and violence. The Prime Minister stated that such individuals have embedded themselves within systemic structures and are attempting to influence governance policies to the detriment of society. He urged citizens to actively identify and isolate such elements.

Conversely, opposition leaders countered the Prime Minister's remarks, alleging that terms like "Dimagi Naxals" are deployed to delegitimize dissenters, critical voices, and those raising legitimate questions about government functioning.

## What this means for you
**Across India:** This debate highlights the government's stance on national security, Article 370, Northeast connectivity, and the legal framework surrounding national integrity.

**For Citizens:** It clarifies how security agencies and legislation like UAPA apply to speeches deemed threats to territorial integrity.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What definition did Kiren Rijiju provide for 'Dimagi Naxals'?
Kiren Rijiju stated the term was not aimed at opposition leaders, but applied to those supporting Maoists, allies of separatists backing Article 370, and individuals advocating the severance of the Siliguri Corridor.

### 2. Who is Sharjeel Imam and why is he incarcerated?
Sharjeel Imam is a student leader arrested on January 28, 2020, for speeches during CAA protests advocating the severance of the Northeast from mainland India. He faces charges under IPC sections for sedition and UAPA.

### 3. What did PM Narendra Modi say in his Independence Day address?
In his 80th Independence Day address, PM Modi stated that armed Naxalism in forests had been curbed, but warned against ideological supporters infiltrating systems to promote violence and anarchy.

### 4. How did opposition leaders respond to the remark?
Opposition leaders argued that terms like 'Dimagi Naxals' are used to vilify critics, dissenters, and those asking questions of the government.

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