--- title: "Fadnavis backs Modi’s ‘intellectual Naxals’ remark" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/fadnavis-backs-modis-intellectual-naxals-5w6hx publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Politics published: 2026-08-15T16:30:36.138Z modified: 2026-08-15T18:00:06.042Z language: en-IN --- # Fadnavis backs Modi’s ‘intellectual Naxals’ remark Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis endorses Narendra Modi’s claim on “intellectual Naxals,” arguing that while armed Naxalism is defeated, ideological Naxalism persists. He cites a recent Congress event and reiterates pre-conditions for women’s reservation under 2023 amendments, while noti ## Key takeaways - Fadnavis publicly supports Modi’s categorization of ‘intellectual Naxals’ and notes ideological Naxalism remains a threat. - He points to a Congress event and a Vande Mataram incident as cited examples of ‘dimagi Naxalism.’ - The 2023 women’s reservation framework requires Census and delimitation before implementation, or else a new amendment may be pursued. ## What Happened At a national address on Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described a category he called "intellectual Naxals" and urged citizens to identify and isolate them. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis publicly supported this characterization, stating that armed Naxalism has ended but an ideological form remains a threat to society. He highlighted a recent Congress programme as an example and referenced the full Vande Mataram being played at the event, suggesting that reports of Sonia Gandhi’s discontent indicate a form of dimagi Naxalism among people with anarchic mindsets. Separately, Fadnavis commented on the government’s push to reserve seats for women in Parliament. He reminded that the 2023 constitutional amendment tied women’s representation to two pre-conditions: completing the Census and carrying out delimitation after the Census. He contrasted this with the proposed new constitutional amendment, arguing that if women’s reservation is to be implemented under the 2023 framework, those two steps must be completed; otherwise, the alternative is to pass the new amendment with a two-thirds majority, which could enable reservation by 2029. Fadnavis also noted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously introduced a Bill to increase seats in both Houses along with the women’s reservation Bill, but that bill was defeated four months earlier. He criticised Opposition leaders, asserting that their absence from Independence Day celebrations should not be equated with opposition to the country. ## Why It Matters The remarks tie a public narrative around Naxalism to ideological threats within society, signaling continued political focus on security-related discourse even as armed insurgency is described as diminished. The discussion around women’s reservation ties the Independence Day politics to constitutional reform timelines, with the government underscoring prerequisites for implementation and presenting an alternative path via a new amendment. The exchanges imply ongoing parliamentary and public policy contention on security rhetoric and gender representation. ## Background The Independence Day address by Prime Minister Modi introduced the term “intellectual Naxals,” a label that Fadnavis subsequently endorsed in his remarks. The conversation around women’s reservation has its origin in the 2023 constitutional amendment, which included conditions linked to demographic and boundary reviews. A new constitutional amendment proposal has emerged as a potential route for advancing reservation if the 2023 framework cannot be satisfied. ## Key Facts - Modi described “intellectual Naxals” during his Independence Day address. - Fadnavis stated armed Naxalism has ended and an ideological form persists. - Fadnavis cited a Congress programme and reports about Sonia Gandhi’s reaction to the full Vande Mataram execution as an example of dimagi Naxalism. - 2023 constitutional amendment linked women’s reservation to completion of the Census and delimitation after the Census. - A union Bill to increase parliamentary seats and reserve women’s seats was introduced by Amit Shah but defeated four months prior. - A new constitutional amendment proposal has been raised as an alternative path to women’s reservation, requiring a two-thirds majority. - Fadnavis suggested that reservation under the 2023 law would require Census completion and delimitation; otherwise, support for the new amendment is needed. - Fadnavis criticized Opposition leaders for their absence from the Independence Day function. ## What Happens Next The discourse points to potential parliamentary consideration of a new constitutional amendment as a pathway to women’s reservation, with implications for timing and legislative strategy. Any advancement would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and the timing mentioned by proponents includes possible implementation by 2029 if the new amendment is approved. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/fadnavis-backs-modis-intellectual-naxals-5w6hx Reported from: Multiple Sources