GS3 · Security16 Aug 2026 · Indian Express — India
BJP hits back at Chidambaram and Kejriwal over 'Naxal' label
On August 16, Congress leader P Chidambaram claimed 'proud' allegiance to the label 'dimagi naxals' coined by Kiren Rijiju. The next day, on August 17, Chidambaram and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, also referred to themselves as 'dimagi Naxals', prompting the BJP to respond that they are 'pure Naxals'.
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the term 'dimagi Naxals' in his Independence Day speech to refer to people with a 'Naxal mindset'.
- 02The term 'dimagi Naxals' is not specifically defined in any law or government document, but is used to describe individuals who harbor anti-national sentiments.
- 03Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister, clarified that the term 'dimagi Naxals' does not refer to Opposition leaders, but rather to individuals who promote a 'Naxal mindset'.
- 04P. Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, proudly accepted the label of 'dimagi Naxal' in response to Prime Minister Modi's speech.
- 05The term 'Naxal' originates from the Naxalbari movement, a Maoist insurgency that began in West Bengal in 1967.
- 06The Naxal movement is characterized by its extremist ideology and violent tactics, and is considered a threat to national security.
- 07The use of the term 'dimagi Naxals' by Prime Minister Modi was seen as an attempt to address the issue of extremism and promote national integration.
Trap alerts
- Most people think the term 'dimagi Naxals' refers specifically to Maoist insurgents, but actually it refers to individuals who harbor anti-national sentiments.
- Most people think the term 'dimagi Naxals' is a new concept, but actually it has its roots in the Naxalbari movement of 1967.
- Most people think the term 'dimagi Naxals' is a pejorative term used only by the government, but actually it has been used by both the government and opposition leaders to describe individuals with extremist ideologies.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Single facteasy
Who coined the term 'dimagi Naxals'?
- A.P Chidambaram
- B.Arvind Kejriwal
- C.Kiren Rijiju
- D.Narendra Modi
Kiren Rijiju coined the term 'dimagi Naxals' in reference to P Chidambaram and Arvind Kejriwal.
Statement I & IIhard
Consider the following two statements:
Statement-I: P Chidambaram and Arvind Kejriwal referred to themselves as 'dimagi Naxals' on August 17, 2026.
Statement-II: Kiren Rijiju coined the term 'dimagi Naxals' and P Chidambaram and Arvind Kejriwal used it to refer to themselves.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Statement-2 is a correct causal explanation of why Statement-1 is true, as Kiren Rijiju's coining of the term 'dimagi Naxals' led to its adoption by P Chidambaram and Arvind Kejriwal.
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