Tavleen Singh writes: Am I a Naxal?

Tavleen Singh, the prominent columnist, has been pondering whether she should be classified as a "dimagi Naxal" following Prime Minister Modi's speech in the Red Fort, which introduced the term for a new breed of traitor. As an economically right-wing, politically conservative journalist, Singh questions why she should be concerned about this ambiguous definition that could potentially encompass anyone who opposes the Indian State, even those who condemn Maoist ideologies and violent uprisings.

Despite her strong opposition to various leftist movements, Singh maintains that she never sympathized with Naxalites, including during the 1970s when many of her contemporaries were drawn to the movement. She attributes her shift in political views to recognizing that decades of socialist policies had kept millions in poverty and that free markets and liberal democracy could have led India to become one of the wealthiest nations.

While Singh agrees with certain aspects of the Modi government's policies, such as improving village schools, she fears that her stance on dissent and criticism of the government might classify her as a "dimagi Naxal." She argues that the recent surge in public support for Modi, along with the government's efforts to silence dissenters through legal means, has led to a decline in liberal democratic values.

Singh emphasizes the importance of dissent in a healthy democracy and expresses concern that the current administration has made it increasingly difficult for critics to voice their opinions without facing repercussions. Despite her fears, she remains steadfast in her belief that India should uphold the principles of liberal democracy, even if it means facing backlash from those who oppose her views.