Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 9: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday renewed his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a public debate over allegations of being 'Dimagi Naxals' and anti-national elements controlled by foreign forces.

In a post on X, Rahul said the Prime Minister should debate who was anti-national and who was controlled by foreign entities, reiterating that his challenge remained open.

"He called us Naxals. My challenge stands. Let him debate me on who is anti-national and who is controlled by foreign forces. Any time, any place. My guarantee: after the debate, the PM won't have the guts to stand in front of a single jawan again," Rahul wrote.

The Congress leader's post was addressed to personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Earlier, while interacting with CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi said that eliminating Naxalism (Maoism) was not the final destination, as the country continued to face the challenge of countering 'Dimagi Naxals', who had allegedly taken control of several organisations.

In an apparent reference to Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc parties questioning the functioning of institutions such as the Election Commission of India (ECI), Modi said certain elements were still attempting to incite people against the Constitution and democracy.

"Even today, they are inciting people against the country's Constitution and democracy. These 'Dimagi Naxals' have also infiltrated several political parties and different organisations. We must identify them, defeat them and ensure the security of the nation," the Prime Minister said.

Interacting with security personnel in Bastar on the occasion of Diwali, Modi also emphasised that the country's recent achievements should serve as a foundation for greater national ambitions.

"Today's achievements inspire us, but this is not the end of the journey -- I repeat, this is not the end," he said.

Describing the successes against Naxalism and poverty as a launchpad for India's next phase of development, Modi said the country must continue working towards fulfilling dreams cherished by generations.

He said these aspirations included the dreams of freedom fighters who made immense sacrifices for independence, soldiers who laid down their lives defending the country's borders and security personnel who sacrificed their lives in the fight against Naxalism and terrorism.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that India would fulfil every commitment it undertook. Citing previous achievements, he referred to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the construction of toilets in every household and the expansion of the vaccination drive.

"Therefore, today, as we speak of eradicating poverty, building a drug-free India, creating a Viksit Bharat and fostering an Atmanirbhar Bharat - rest assured, the nation will achieve these goals as well," Modi said.