Arvind Kejriwal Defends ‘Dimagi Naxal’ Description, Declares Pride In Unconventional Label

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said he was “proud” to be called a “dimagi Naxal”, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks about people he described as ideological supporters of Naxalism. Kejriwal also described himself as a “true patriot” and said he was not afraid of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kejriwal’s comments came after Modi, during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, said India had succeeded in eliminating armed Naxalism from forest areas but warned that its ideological supporters continued to seek opportunities to promote violence, unrest and anarchy.

Modi used the term “dimagi Naxals”, or intellectual Naxals, while describing what he characterised as an ideological threat. Responding to the remarks in a video message, Kejriwal said people who questioned the government and demanded improvements in public services could be labelled “dimagi Naxals” under Modi’s description. He referred to issues such as better governance, drainage facilities and hospitals while arguing that citizens seeking improvements should not be treated as threats.

“According to PM Modi, those who dare to question are ‘dimagi Naxals’,” Kejriwal said in the video. He added that such people did not fear the BJP and declared that he was proud to be described in those terms. His comments represented a direct political response to the prime minister’s Independence Day remarks. Kejriwal also invoked the names of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and architect of the Indian Constitution BR Ambedkar while making his argument. He suggested that, if the two leaders were alive today, they too could be described as “dimagi Naxals” under the definition he attributed to Modi.

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The reference was aimed at highlighting what Kejriwal characterised as the importance of questioning authority and challenging existing systems. Modi had made the reference to “dimagi Naxals” while discussing the government’s efforts against armed Naxalism. He said India had succeeded in getting rid of armed Naxals from the jungles but alleged that ideological supporters were looking for opportunities to create violence and social unrest. He warned against what he described as efforts to take society down the wrong path.

The exchange has opened another political confrontation between the BJP and the AAP leader. Kejriwal has frequently criticised the central government and the BJP over governance and political issues, while the BJP has targeted the AAP and its leadership on a range of matters. Kejriwal’s latest remarks also placed governance and public services at the centre of his response. By referring to drainage, hospitals and demands for a better system, he argued that citizens raising questions about government performance should not automatically be associated with extremist ideology.

The phrase “dimagi Naxal” has consequently become a point of political debate following Modi’s Independence Day speech. While the prime minister used it in the context of ideological support for violence and unrest, Kejriwal has rejected that characterisation and presented the term as one that could be applied to people who challenge the government. The latest exchange reflects the continuing political contest between the BJP and opposition parties over the language used to describe dissent, governance and ideological movements. Kejriwal’s declaration that he is “proud” to be a “dimagi Naxal” is his political response to Modi’s remarks and does not establish that the term has any formal legal or governmental classification.

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