Kejriwal Calls Himself ‘Dimaagi Naxal’, Says Those Who Question Govt, Seek Better Facilities and Want ‘Viksit Bharat’ Are Being Labelled So

August 17, 2026

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday described himself as a ‘dimaagi Naxal’ while taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Independence Day remarks and the political row surrounding the term.

In a video message posted on X, the former Delhi Chief Minister said people who question the government, demand improvements in education and seek better public facilities such as hospitals and roads are being described as ‘dimaagi Naxals’.

हाँ। मैं दिमाग़ी नक्सल हूँ। क्योंकि मैं देशभक्त हूँ। और मुझे इस पर गर्व है। pic.twitter.com/ADE3YRfvSJ

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 17, 2026

Kejriwal said he was proud to call himself a ‘dimaagi Naxal’, arguing that questioning the government and seeking change was an expression of patriotism.

Kejriwal takes dig at PM Modi’s ‘dimaagi Naxal’ remark

Kejriwal claimed that, according to the Prime Minister’s definition, those who seek reforms in the education system, better healthcare facilities and improved roads could be labelled ‘dimaagi Naxals’.

He also said people who are not afraid of the BJP or the central government and want to see India become a ‘Viksit Bharat’ could fall under the description.

Kejriwal further said that freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and B R Ambedkar would also have been described as ‘dimaagi Naxals’ had they been alive today.

PM Modi’s Independence Day remark triggers political row

The controversy began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on August 15, called for the identification and isolation of ‘dimaagi Naxals’.

The Prime Minister did not elaborate extensively on the term in his speech, but the remark triggered a political exchange between the BJP and opposition parties.

Congress leaders subsequently criticised the remark, with the party alleging that the term could be used to target those who question the government.

Chidambaram also calls himself ‘proud dimaagi Naxal’

The row intensified after former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said he was a ‘proud dimaagi Naxal’.

BJP Rajya Sabha member and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi criticised Chidambaram’s remarks and referred to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 2006 description of Naxalism as the biggest internal security challenge facing India.

Trivedi questioned the Congress over the contrasting positions attributed to Chidambaram and Manmohan Singh and asked which of the two positions the party considered correct.

The remarks by Kejriwal have now added another political dimension to the ongoing debate over the term ‘dimaagi Naxal’ and its meaning in the context of the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address.