Kiren Rijiju sparks controversy over ‘Dimagi Naxal’ label

A political controversy has emerged in India following the use of the term ‘Dimagi Naxal’ (intellectual Naxal) by government figures. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the term, accusing the Congress party of transforming into a “Maoist and Naxalite entity” that advocates for the country’s fragmentation.

Rijiju stated that while armed Naxalites have been largely eliminated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the underlying ideology persists in urban areas. He defined ‘Dimagi Naxals’ as those who support the separation of the Northeast or Article 370 and lack empathy for security personnel killed in conflict.

In response, the term has been reclaimed by critics and dissenters on social media. Users on platforms such as X and Instagram have adopted the label as a “badge of honour,” creating accounts like ‘Dimagi Naxal Janata Party’ to signal their opposition to what they describe as injustice and blind obedience.