Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday defended the use of the term “dimagi Naxals” in a political exchange, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not used the phrase to describe Opposition leaders. Rijiju said the term was intended for people whom he alleged supported Maoists, rejected the Indian Constitution or backed separatist positions. In a post on X, Rijiju sought to clarify the remarks amid criticism from Congress leaders, including former Union minister P Chidambaram.
The minister said “dimagi Naxals” referred to people who supported Maoists and rejected the Constitution, those who stood with separatists and backed the restoration of Article 370, and those who advocated cutting off the “Chicken’s Neck” corridor to separate the northeastern states from the rest of India. Rijiju's post came amid a wider political debate following Prime Minister Modi's remarks on the government's campaign against Maoist insurgency. Modi had congratulated the country on what he described as the successful uprooting of Maoists and also remembered the sacrifice of security personnel who lost their lives during operations against left-wing extremism.
The term “Chicken’s Neck” refers to the narrow Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal, a strategically important stretch of territory connecting the northeastern states with the rest of India. The corridor is roughly 22 km wide at its narrowest point and has long been regarded as significant to India's territorial connectivity and security. Rijiju specifically rejected the suggestion that Modi had labelled Opposition leaders as “dimagi Naxals”. He instead presented the phrase as a description of individuals who, according to his post, support Maoist ideology, reject constitutional principles or advocate positions that could threaten India's territorial integrity.
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His remarks triggered a political response from the Congress camp. Chidambaram responded to the controversy by saying he was “proud to be one”, apparently referring to the “dimagi Naxal” label. His response added another layer to the political confrontation over the terminology, with the Opposition questioning the government's characterisation of critics and the ruling side seeking to distinguish between political opponents and those it accuses of supporting extremist or separatist causes.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of continuing political debate over the government's claims regarding the decline of left-wing extremism and its handling of national security issues. While the government has highlighted security operations and the reduction of Maoist influence, Opposition leaders have frequently challenged the Centre on issues related to civil liberties, governance and political rhetoric. Rijiju's latest clarification was aimed at drawing a distinction between legitimate political opposition and positions he described as supportive of Maoist or separatist causes.
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