Who qualifies as a Dimaagi Naxal? Rijiju draws line between dissent and separatism

Kiren Rijiju clarified PM Modi's "Dimaagi Naxals" remark, saying critics of the government should not be automatically labelled as such. He identified four categories, including those supporting separatism, Maoist ideology, calls to cut the Siliguri Corridor and opposition to development projects, which he said could undermine India's growth and integrity.Separatists, Maoist supporters, development blockers: Rijiju on Dimaagi NaxalsUnion Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday clarified Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Dimaagi Naxals” remark, saying people who disagree with, criticise or question the government should not be automatically labelled as such. He said the term was meant for those who support separatism or seek to obstruct India’s development projects.The term “Dimaagi Naxals”, also described as “intellectual Naxals”, was coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and featured in his Independence Day speech this year, as he celebrated the elimination of the Naxal menace in the country. However, he warned that people with a Naxal mindset still exist even though the armed insurgents are gone, and are seeking to influence institutions and spark unrest.Soon after, PM Modi’s remarks and a viral BJP social media post featuring a retired mathematics professor, a popular podcaster, an actor, a journalist and a Bollywood singer, all labelled as “Dimaagi Naxals”, sparked a controversy, with critics calling it an attack on freedom of speech and expression and an attempt to curb dissent.In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Rijiju said there had been confusion over whom the Prime Minister was referring to when he used the term. He then outlined four categories of people whom he said could be described as “Dimagi Naxals” or supporters of Naxal ideology.“I want to make it very clear,” Rijiju said while responding to a question on whether those who oppose or criticise the government could be called Dimagi Naxals. Rijiju said the first category included those who support a separatist mindset, such as backing Article 370, which he said was directly linked to separatism.The second, he said, comprised people who do not accept the Constitution and support Maoists or Naxalites who operate outside the constitutional framework.“The Maoists and the Naxalites, they hold their own court. They give punishment, they give death sentences, they shoot people. They don’t follow the Indian Constitution,” Rijiju said.He added that those who support such groups could be described as “Dimaagi Naxals”.The minister’s third category comprised people who support calls to cut off the “Chicken’s Neck”, the narrow Siliguri Corridor connecting the Northeast with the rest of India.Rijiju claimed that some people had openly supported such statements and said those backing them would also fall within the category he was describing.He then added a fourth category: people who, according to him, deliberately seek to obstruct India’s economic growth by opposing development projects.“Anybody who is trying to stop the economic growth of India,” Rijiju told India Today, referring to those seeking to stall development projects.He argued that attempts to stop such projects ultimately amount to attempts to hold back the country’s growth.Rijiju’s comments came amid a wider political debate over the use of the term “Dimagi Naxal” and who should be covered by it.Asked specifically whether disagreement with the government, criticism of its policies or questioning its decisions could make someone a Dimagi Naxal, Rijiju outrightly dismissed the suggestion.His clarification sought to distinguish between ordinary political criticism and support for separatism, armed Maoist ideology, or actions that he believes undermine India’s constitutional and territorial integrity.- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Aug 26, 2026 21:00 IST