Kiren Rijiju lists who ‘dimagi naxals’ are, Congress’ Chidambaram says ‘proud to be one’

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to "dimagi Naxals" in his Independence Day speech did not target opposition leaders. Rijiju explained that "dimagi Naxals" referred to individuals who supported Maoist ideology, rejected the Indian Constitution, backed separatists, and advocated for cutting the Chicken's Neck corridor. The Chicken's Neck is the narrow land link between the northeastern states and the rest of India.

Modi's speech came under scrutiny from Congress leaders who accused the government of attempting to suppress dissent. The term "dimagi Naxals" was also used by opposition politicians to describe critics of the government, with some claiming it was a thinly veiled attempt to label political opponents as Naxals.

Opposition figures like P Chidambaram defended their stance, stating they were "proud to be a dimagi Naxal." Chidambaram alleged that the government first labeled critics as Naxals and then adopted the issues they raised. The president also mentioned Naxalism in her Independence Day eve address, describing it as a challenge to India for decades and praising development efforts in affected regions.