'Dimagi Naxal' Remark Wasn't Aimed at Opposition: Kiren Rijiju Lists 3 Points After Chidambaram's Retort

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dimagi naxal' remark was not directed at opposition leaders, listing three categories of people he said the term actually applied to. Rijiju's clarification came a day after PM Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, warned against "dimagi naxals" who he said had entrenched themselves within the system and continued to influence public policy

Rijiju said that those who support Maoists and reject the Indian Constitution, those who back separatists and support Article 370, and those who seek to separate India's northeast from the rest of the country by targeting the "chicken's neck" corridor were called "Dimagi Naxals".

"PM Narendra Modi ji didn't say opposition leaders as Dimagi Naxals. Only following are Dimagi Naxals: 1. Who support Maoists and reject Indian Constitution. 2. Who stand with separatists & support Article 370. 3. Who want to cut chicken neck to separate North-East from India," posted Rijiju on X.

PM Modi, on Saturday, said that the country had succeeded in removing armed Left-winged extremism from the forests but warned that its ideological supporters were seeking opportunities to promote violence and anarchy.

"My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from 'hathariya naxal' (armed naxal). Even if these Naxals are gone, but the 'dimagi naxal' are looking for an opportunity. We need to identify these dimagi Naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country," he added.

"For years, people with a Maoist mindset had established themselves in the corridors of power. They had served as advisers on government committees and influenced public policy." He urged the citizens to "identify and isolate them."

Earlier today, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram took a swipe at the prime minister over his remarks. "I am proud to be a dimagi naxal," Chidambaram posted on X.