New Delhi, Nov. 8 -- Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "Dimagi Naxals" remarks, accusing him of using the occasion of Diwali to target political rivals and alleging that his comments reflected a pattern of branding those who disagreed with his government.

In a post on X, Ramesh said the Prime Minister had not spared the country even on Diwali and objected to his remarks during his visit to Bastar, where he referred to "Dimagi Naxals".

"The Prime Minister has not spared the nation even on Diwali day his trademark abuse. He has once again spoken of what he calls dimagi naxals. He has used a very solemn non-political occasion, donned the uniform of the security forces, and hurled invective...