Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for describing certain individuals as ‘Dimagi Naxals’, had himself intervened in 2013 to seek the release of Mahesh Raut, a Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellow detained by Maharashtra Police over alleged links with Naxal leaders.
Ramesh, who was then Union Rural Development Minister, wrote to the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, seeking his personal intervention to ensure that Raut could continue working in Gadchiroli.
The 2013 letter has resurfaced following Ramesh’s November 8, 2026, attack on PM Modi over his ‘Dimagi Naxal’ remark during his Diwali interaction with security personnel in Chhattisgarh. Ramesh had accused the Prime Minister of using an occasion involving security forces to target political opponents.
What Jairam Ramesh Said?
On 8 November 2026, Ramesh criticised PM Modi for referring to certain political opponents as ‘Dimagi Naxals’ during his Diwali interaction with security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Accusing the Prime Minister of using a solemn occasion involving security forces to target political rivals, Ramesh described the remarks as an attack on institutional norms.
In his post on X, Ramesh cited Modi’s earlier remarks against those demanding a caste census in April 2024, whom the Prime Minister had reportedly described as ‘Urban Naxals’. He pointed out that the Centre subsequently announced a caste census as part of Census 2027 in April 2025.
He also referred to the September 2020 farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws, alleging that Modi had described those protesting against the legislation as supporters of Naxal ideology, before the government eventually repealed the laws in November 2021.
“The PM is clearly distraught, disturbed and desperate. Jhola-picking-up time is fast approaching,” Ramesh wrote.
प्रधानमंत्री ने दिवाली के दिन भी देश को अपनी चिर-परिचित अभद्र भाषा से नहीं बख्शा है।
उन्होंने एक बार फिर अपने कुछ राजनीतिक विरोधियों को ‘दिमागी नक्सली’ कहकर सम्बोधित किया है। सबसे आपत्तिजनक बात यह है कि उन्होंने इसके लिए एक बेहद गंभीर और गैर-राजनीतिक अवसर का दुरुपयोग किया, सुरक्षा बलों की वर्दी पहनी और अपने राजनीतिक विरोधियों पर जमकर कीचड़ उछाला। यह तमाम मर्यादाओं और परम्पराओं पर खुला हमला है। लेकिन इन महाशय को उसूलों और आदर्शों की परवाह ही कब रही है।
28 अप्रैल, 2024 को उन्होंने जातिगत जनगणना की मांग करने वालों को ‘अर्बन नक्सली’ कहा था। यह अलग बात है कि बाद में, 30 अप्रैल, 2025 को उन्होंने स्वयं जनगणना 2027 के तहत जातिगत जनगणना कराने की घोषणा की।
इससे पहले, सितम्बर 2020 में उन्होंने तीनों काले कृषि कानूनों के खिलाफ आंदोलन कर रहे लोगों को नक्सली विचारधारा का समर्थक बताया था। बाद में, 19 नवम्बर, 2021 को उन्होंने उन्हीं कानूनों को वापस ले लिया।
प्रधानमंत्री साफ तौर पर हताश, परेशान और बेचैन हैं। स्पष्ट है कि अब झोला उठाने का वक्त तेजी से करीब आ रहा है।
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 8, 2026
However, Ramesh was reminded of his intervention in the case of Mahesh Raut, a PM Rural Development Fellow who was detained by Maharashtra Police in 2013 over alleged links with Naxal leaders.
Jairam Ramesh’s 2013 Intervention for Naxalite Mahesh Raut
An archived report published by The Indian Express on July 1, 2013, titled In defence of PMRD fellow, Ramesh writes to Chavan, reported that the then Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan seeking his intervention in the police interrogation of Mahesh Raut, a PM Rural Development Fellow posted in Gadchiroli and an accused in the Bhima Koregaon Elgar Parishad case.
According to the report, Raut had been detained after two Naxals arrested in Koinvarshi village allegedly told the police that Raut and his friend Harshali Potdar were supposed to accompany them to meet senior Naxal leaders. Both Raut and Potdar were reportedly present in the village when the Naxals were apprehended.
In his letter to Chavan, Ramesh defended Raut, pointing out that he had been visiting remote villages that government officials rarely visited and interacting with local residents.
Ramesh reportedly argued that PM Rural Development Fellows working in remote and sensitive districts could face suspicion and backlash because of the prevailing climate of distrust.
He also highlighted that 156 young men and women had been selected in 2012 through a competitive process, with the programme intended to develop a cadre of professionals committed to working for poor and disadvantaged communities.
Seeking Chavan’s personal intervention, Ramesh wrote, “I definitely do no want to second guess the local civil and police administration, who function in very difficult circumstances. So I seek your personal intervention to clear the air and bring the issue to an end so that the PMRDFs are able to work without fear. Mahesh Raut should be allowed to continue working in Gadchiroli and the Collector may be directed to provide all necessary support.”
The letter thus sought to ensure that Raut could continue working as a PM Rural Development Fellow despite the allegations that had emerged during the police investigation.
That is the irony of the Congress leader who is now objecting to the term ‘Dimagi Naxal’ while having previously intervened on behalf of a government fellow detained in a case involving alleged links to Naxal leaders.
The controversy surrounding Raut illustrated what Prime Minister Modi meant by the term ‘Dimagi Naxals’, indicating that ideological sympathisers and those providing institutional support to Naxal networks could operate within fellowships, NGOs, universities and other establishments, rather than necessarily being armed cadres.
Ramesh, who had sought intervention for Raut in 2013, was now criticising Modi for raising concerns about the alleged influence of such networks.
We can understand your pain, Babu @Jairam_Ramesh
13 years ago, you wrote a letter to then Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan, not for a jawan, not for a victim, not for an injured tribal; but to secure the release of Mahesh Raut, a ‘Dimagi Naxal’ detained for his Naxal links.
And what did your UPA government do with that same Mahesh Raut? It made him a PM Rural Development Fellow.
Just think about this irony. The ‘Dimagi Naxal’ suspected of helping Naxals was working as PMRD fellow.
This is exactly what PM @narendramodi means by “Dimagi Naxal.”
Naxal with a gun was visible. Dimagi Naxal is invisible. He sits in fellowships, in NGOs, in universities, in letters of recommendation. He gives cover, sympathy, and legitimacy to violence.
When PM Modi names this ecosystem, every Indian who has lost a jawan, who has seen a village burnt, stands with him.
But you stand against him. Why?
Because by opposing PM Modi, you are not defending democracy. You are defending your old friendship with Dimagi Naxals.
And that friendship is now for everyone to see.
— Dr. Anirban Ganguly (অনির্বাণ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায়) (@anirbanganguly) November 10, 2026
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