Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2026 cautioned that the threat of what he termed 'dimagi Naxal' — or intellectual Naxalism — had not disappeared from the country, even as he declared that armed Left-wing extremism had been decisively defeated, with all Naxal-affected districts cleared by March this year. Addressing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas gathering at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, Modi framed the ideological challenge as the next frontier in the country's battle against Naxalism.

The Security Gains Claimed

Modi told the audience that India had 'broken the backbone' of armed Naxalism. He cited data indicating that 126 districts were affected by Left-wing extremism in 2015, while no district remained under Naxal influence by March 2026. The Prime Minister referred to a pledge he had made at the same venue a year ago — that the country would not rest until it was free of Naxalism and Maoist violence — and declared that resolve had now been fulfilled.

He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in anti-Naxal operations and welcomed families from formerly affected regions attending the National Unity Day celebrations.

The Warning on 'Intellectual Naxalism'

'We have ended Naxalism in remote areas. But the threat of intellectual Naxalism has not yet passed from the country. The nation must always remain alert to these intellectual Naxalites,' Modi said. He did not name specific individuals or organisations in this context, but urged citizens to identify and collectively confront what he described as forces attempting to divide Indians, spread rumours, and damage the country's image — particularly through social media.

This comes amid a broader government focus on narratives around national unity and sovereignty. Critics have in the past argued that the term 'intellectual Naxal' is used loosely and risks stigmatising legitimate dissent, though the government maintains the label refers to ideological support for violent extremism.

Border Security and Civil Code Call

In a wide-ranging address, Modi also called for stronger action to secure the country's borders, prevent infiltration, and address what he described as demographic changes. He additionally advocated movement towards a secular civil code — a longstanding Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) policy position that remains politically contentious.

Development Push in Former Naxal Regions

The Prime Minister highlighted that regions which had endured decades of violence were now being connected to mainstream development through roads, mobile networks, schools, and healthcare facilities. He said the national resolve to build a developed India by 2047 must continue despite obstacles and challenges. The emphasis on development as a counter-insurgency complement has been a consistent theme of the government's approach to Left-wing extremism since 2014.

With armed Naxalism now declared eliminated at the district level, attention is likely to shift to whether the claimed development gains are independently verified and sustained in affected communities.