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BJP Attacks Congress Over Chidambaram's 'Proud Dimagi Naxal' Remark

Politics10 sourcesAug 17, 2026
Center-RightRigor 5210 sources

The Story

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a fresh attack on the Congress party over senior leader P. Chidambaram’s proud to be a dimagi Naxal remark. BJP National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi stated that Chidambaram's comment is an acceptance by the Congress that it is a "Dimagi Naxal Congress." Trivedi added that the Congress has revealed it is not merely a "Muslim League Maoist Congress" but also a "Dimagi Naxal Congress." On Sunday, August 16, Chidambaram responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dimagi Naxal remark by saying, "I am proud to be a 'dimagi naxal'." Modi had warned the country about dimagi Naxals who allegedly manipulate policies and pose a threat to society. Speaking from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi urged citizens to identify and isolate these ideological supporters of Maoism. He said the country had succeeded in removing armed Maoism from forests but warned its ideological supporters seek opportunities to promote violence and anarchy. Following Chidambaram's remark, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also called himself a dimaagi Naxal, stating that those who question the BJP and the central government for better facilities are dimaagi Naxals. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also declared herself a dimaagi Naxal for supporting Article 370 of the Constitution. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju clarified that Prime Minister Modi did not call opposition leaders dimaagi Naxals. Rijiju categorized dimagi Naxals as those who support Maoists, reject the Indian Constitution, stand with separatists, support Article 370, or want to separate the North-East from India. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi slammed Chidambaram, citing Naxal attacks during the UPA government. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad called Chidambaram's remark shameful and crude. An Instagram account named "Dimagi Naxal Party" emerged after Modi's remark, gaining over 181,000 followers overnight, with a motto of "Think | Research | Resist." The party's X account, created in August 2026, also gained over 7,000 followers.

The Spread

What they agree on

  • P. Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, stated he is "proud to be a dimagi Naxal."
  • Chidambaram's remark was a response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warning about "dimagi Naxals" in his Independence Day speech.
  • Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to "identify and isolate" these ideological supporters of Maoism.
  • Other opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Mehbooba Mufti, have also adopted the "dimaagi Naxal" label.
  • The BJP has criticized Chidambaram's statement, calling it an acceptance of the Congress party's alignment with Naxal ideology.

Where they split

  • The Hindu and India TV News (English) lead with the BJP's direct attacks on Congress and Chidambaram.
  • India TV News (English) and Greater Kashmir highlight other opposition leaders, such as Arvind Kejriwal and Mehbooba Mufti, adopting the "dimaagi Naxal" label.
  • OpIndia provides a historical context of P. Chidambaram's past actions and statements to support the claim that his "confession of being a ‘Dimagi Naxal’ doesn’t surprise anyone."
  • Hindustan Times focuses on the emergence of a satirical "Dimagi Naxal Party" on social media following PM Modi's remark.

Source Perspectives

Left2 sources
Center6 sources
Right2 sources