Chhattisgarh officials and victims protest Chidambaram’s ‘Dimagi Naxal’ remarks

Political tensions have escalated in India following remarks by Congress leader and former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram regarding ‘Dimagi Naxals’ (intellectual Naxals).

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao criticized the comments, asserting that such rhetoric suggests a desire to prevent the eradication of Naxalism. Sao claimed that armed Naxalism has been largely eliminated from the Bastar region and argued that Congress leaders have historically undermined national unity and the progress of tribal populations.

In response, the Bastar Shanti Samiti, a group representing victims of Naxal violence, traveled to Delhi to protest. Members of the group, including families who lost relatives to IED blasts and ambushes, stated that Chidambaram’s expression of pride in ‘Dimagi Naxals’ is deeply hurtful to those who have suffered physical and emotional trauma due to insurgent attacks.