P Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday after the PM used the phrase ‘dimagi naxal’ to describe a group he said had infiltrated the government. Chidambaram replied on the social‑media platform X, “I am proud to be a dimagi naxal.”
The comment came a day after Modi warned the nation about ‘dimagi naxals’ who, according to him, have entrenched themselves in the system and continue to pose a threat by manipulating policies. He urged citizens to “identify and isolate” such individuals.
Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, Modi highlighted that the country had succeeded in removing armed Naxalism from the forests. However, he warned that ideological supporters of the movement were seeking ways to promote violence and anarchy.
In his remarks, Modi said that for years people with a Maoist mindset had established themselves in corridors of power, serving as advisers on government committees and influencing public policy. He stressed that this challenge could not be underestimated and that vigilance must be heightened.
Chidambaram’s reply on X was a direct counter to Modi’s statement. He claimed pride in the label, suggesting that the term was not a criticism but a badge of identity.
Modi also spoke of the human cost of Naxalism, noting that over 3,500 police and security personnel had been killed in the conflict—a figure that far exceeds the number of soldiers lost in wars. He described the violence as having destroyed the lives and aspirations of millions of young people.
The Prime Minister reiterated that ending Naxalism and Maoist violence was a priority for his government, which took office in 2014. He said that decades‑old challenges must be brought to an end and that the movement had taken away sons of countless mothers, ruined families, and shattered the dreams of parents.
Finally, Modi expressed satisfaction that areas once dominated by Naxalites are now free from violence. He said that development, trust, and effort have replaced bloodshed, and the tricolour now flies over these liberated regions.