Arvind Kejriwal claims pride in 'dimagi Naxal' label

Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and former Delhi chief minister, said on Monday he is proud to be a “dimagi Naxal” ^[1].

The exchange highlights a deepening ideological rift between India's ruling party and the opposition over the definition of patriotism and internal security. By embracing a term used as a warning by the Prime Minister, Kejriwal is attempting to reframe a label of extremism as a badge of patriotic dissent.

The dispute began during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address on Aug. 15, 2026 ^[2]. Speaking from the Red Fort in New Delhi, Modi said the country needs to identify and isolate “dimagi Naxals” ^[3]. The term refers to those who may not engage in physical violence but are seen as providing intellectual or ideological support to insurgent movements.

Kejriwal responded to the remark in New Delhi on Monday. He said, “I am proud to be a ‘dimagi Naxal’ and I am a true patriot” ^[1].

Opposition leaders interpreted Modi's speech as a direct attack on political critics. However, the government denied that the Prime Minister was targeting the opposition. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the remark was not aimed at opposition leaders but at those supporting Maoists, separatism, and attempts to isolate the Northeast ^[4].

To clarify the government's position, Rijiju provided a definition of the term. While some reports differ, he offered a definition of “dimagi Naxal” consisting of three to four points ^[5].

The clash occurs as the Aam Aadmi Party continues to position itself as a primary challenger to the current administration's narrative on national security and governance.