The Opposition accused him of using a prestigious academic platform to target his political critics instead of addressing issues concerning students and education.
Opposition leaders on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reviving his “Dimagi Naxal” remark during his address at Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC).
The criticism came a day after Modi, speaking at SRCC’s centenary celebrations, again referred to the term he first used in his Independence Day address.
The Prime Minister said those supporting the ideas he had criticised were now being “exposed”.
Today, if someone questions the government’s growth story, they are labelled anti-national, ‘Naraaz Fufa’ or ‘Dimagi Naxal’. Kharge further accused the Prime Minister of repeatedly using labels against his political opponents instead of addressing questions about the government’s performance. One kind transforms the strength of society into the strength of the nation. The other becomes ‘Naraz Fufa’ whenever any work is started and opposes everything. Kharge cited the remark while accusing Modi of repeatedly using labels to target his critics. “I will not make an irresponsible or discourteous comment like the Prime Minister did. I will maintain the dignity of his office, even if he failed to uphold the dignity of Teachers’ Day. Please respect that institution. What are the basic problems faced by students and teachers? I have been a teacher and a student at Delhi University. That is the difference you have created in this country.”
Khera said that after 12 years in office, Modi should have used the SRCC platform to present a vision for young Indians rather than resorting to political name-calling. The college that the Prime Minister attended has a history spanning over 100 years.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Modi’s visit to SRCC should have been an opportunity to engage with young people on education, employment and their future, but instead turned into a political attack. Congress leader Pawan Khera also hit out at Modi, saying the Prime Minister’s repeated attacks on the Opposition reflected an “inferiority complex”. “The fact that he still has no vision, no inspiring message, and nothing positive to offer the country’s youth at a prestigious institution like SRCC,” Congress MP wrote. “Adjectives keep changing, but the Modi government’s anti-people policies do not change.” the Congress president added. Kharge was referring to a part of Modi’s address in which the Prime Minister said, “You will meet two kinds of people.
Earlier, asking questions while opposing the government was not considered a crime.
