Patna, Aug 15: Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Independence Day reference to “mindless Naxalites”, suggesting that people fitting the description could also be present within the BJP.
Reacting to Modi’s remarks made during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Tej Pratap said it was for the Prime Minister himself to identify who was a “mentally Naxalite” or “insane” person.
“Only PM Modi will tell who is mentally Naxalite or insane. Modi ji would know more about this,” Tej Pratap said.
He further suggested that Modi should travel across Bihar and the country to understand people’s mindsets.
“He will come to Bihar and travel across the country to find out who has what mindset. It’s possible that the person he is calling insane or Naxalite is in his own party. There are many such people in the BJP itself,” he said.
The remarks are likely to add a fresh political edge to the debate in Bihar over the Prime Minister’s comments on Maoist ideology and “mental Naxalites”.
Modi, in his Red Fort address, said that while armed Naxalism had been substantially eliminated, the country needed to remain vigilant against “mindless Naxalites”. He called for identifying and isolating such elements while integrating the country’s youth into mainstream efforts aimed at building a developed India.
The Prime Minister also said Maoist ideology had, for years, influenced policy and decision-making through individuals who occupied positions in government committees and advisory roles.
Tej Pratap, however, maintained that he did not want to criticise anyone on Independence Day.
“Today, on Independence Day, I don’t want to criticize anyone. Who is mentally deranged? Today is Independence Day. Everyone is free to express their views,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Tej Pratap hoisted the national flag at the Janshakti Janata Dal office in Patna and extended Independence Day greetings to the people.
“Many best wishes to the countrymen and all the people on the occasion of Independence Day, August 15th,” he said.
Tej Pratap’s comments come against the backdrop of Naxalism remaining a politically sensitive issue in Bihar and eastern India. His suggestion that those described by Modi as “mindless Naxalites” could be within the BJP marks a direct political counter to the Prime Minister’s remarks.
The exchange is expected to further fuel the political discourse in Bihar, particularly over the government’s approach to Maoist ideology and the use of the term “mental Naxalites” in political rhetoric.
