The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for again using the term “Dimagi Naxal” while addressing a young audience at Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka said the prime minister should have used the occasion to discuss issues that directly affect students and young people. He said education, employment and student welfare deserved greater attention during the SRCC centenary celebrations. Modi was speaking at an event marking SRCC’s 100th anniversary when he referred to his earlier “Dimagi Naxal” remark from his Independence Day speech last month. He said people supporting ideas he had criticised were now being “exposed”. “As soon as I gave the ‘Dimagi Naxal’ homeopathy pill, all the ‘Dimagi Naxals’ started coming out one by one. And now the public is also seeing the true colours of those who are encouraging this illness,” Modi said in an indirect attack on his critics.

CJP Questions Modi’s Focus on Young People

The remarks triggered a strong response from CJP leaders. Co-convener Saurav Das said it was inappropriate for the prime minister to use such a label for young people who question those in power, particularly at a leading educational institution. “Wow. Going to one of India’s premier colleges and once again branding a young, questioning generation as “Dimagi Naxals” has got to be among the most shameful things a Prime Minister can do. And on Teacher’s Day,” Das wrote in a post on X. Das argued that Modi could have used the event to address concerns raised by teachers and students at SRCC. “He could have spoken about why SRCC’s own teachers have had to protest over denial of medical and childcare leave. He could have promised SRCC’s students better infrastructure that’s crumbling. He could have acknowledged the crushing pressure of hyper-competition they face,” he said. He further accused the prime minister of missing an opportunity to offer encouragement to young people on Teacher’s Day. “A Prime Minister should give the young hope, not such stupid labels. He should answer their questions, not vilify them for asking. What a pathetic state of affairs,” Das added.

CJP Says Modi Should Have Discussed Education and Jobs

Ashutosh Ranka also questioned the focus of Modi’s speech at the centenary celebrations. He said students and teachers would have expected the prime minister to speak about the future of education, employment opportunities and challenges facing young Indians. “Going to the centenary celebrations of a college as reputed as SRCC, you would have expected the Prime Minister to talk education, jobs, current challenges impacting students, and what all India is doing to set itself apart for next 20 years,” Ranka said. He also criticised Modi for bringing up the “Dimagi Naxal” issue during the event. “Instead, he resorted to “Dimagi Naxal” nonsense. That’s what happens when your degree is in “Entire Political History”.”

Modi Revisits His 2013 SRCC Address

During his nearly 50-minute speech, Modi also looked back at his earlier visit to SRCC in February 2013. At that time, the BJP was in opposition and Modi was still more than a year away from becoming prime minister. Returning to the college after more than 13 years, Modi compared India's economic position in 2013 with its current situation. He said the country had moved from what he described as “policy paralysis” to “policy dynamism” during the 13 years of BJP-led rule at the Centre. Modi said his 2013 speech had helped create a political and public “wave”. He also criticised those who had placed India among the “Fragile Five” economies and said they were now unable to accept the country's reported 7.8% growth.

Modi Highlights India’s Economic Progress

The prime minister said India faced several serious problems in 2013, including terrorism, high inflation and corruption. According to him, economic growth was weak while inflation had reached high levels. “India in 2013 was dealing with a series of challenges, including terror attacks, inflation and corruption. Growth was at its lowest and inflation was at the peak,” Modi said. His speech therefore combined a review of India's economic transformation with political criticism of his opponents and a defence of his government's record. The CJP, however, argued that the SRCC centenary event should have focused more on students, teachers, education and employment rather than political attacks and labels aimed at young people.