Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram of the Congress party said he is proud to be called a "Dimaagi Naxal" in a post on X.
The exchange highlights the intensifying rhetorical battle between India's ruling party and the opposition over the definition of national loyalty and dissent.
Chidambaram made the remark on Aug. 23, 2024 [2], following an Independence Day speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Aug. 15, 2024 [2]. The Prime Minister had used the term "dimagi Naxal" — meaning intellectual or mental Naxalite — to describe ideological opponents.
Chidambaram said he used the term to turn the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) own rhetoric back on them [1, 4]. He argued that the ruling party repeatedly labels opposition figures with derogatory terms such as "Urban Naxals," "Khan Market gang," and "tukde-tukde gang" [1, 4].
"I am proud to be called a Dimaagi Naxal," Chidambaram said in a video interview [1]. He said that the ruling dispensation has repeatedly coined derogatory labels to target opposition voices [4].
The post gained significant traction, receiving several million views [1].
Government officials have disputed the idea that the Prime Minister's comments were directed at political rivals. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the term "dimagi Naxal" is not aimed at opposition parties [2]. Rijiju said the term refers to ideological elements that threaten the nation [2].
BJP leaders have accused Chidambaram of shielding Naxals and their sympathizers [3]. Chidambaram said he is merely mirroring the language used by the government [1].
“"I am proud to be called a Dimaagi Naxal,"”
This clash illustrates a broader trend in Indian politics where the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party fight over the legitimacy of dissent. By adopting a label typically used to marginalize activists and intellectuals, Chidambaram is attempting to neutralize the stigma of 'Naxal' associations and frame the government's terminology as a tool for political suppression rather than national security.
