Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said she was a “dimaagi Naxal” after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju listed supporters of Article 370 among those who could be described using the term.
Reacting to Rijiju’s post on X, Mufti wrote, “I support Article 370. I’m a dimaagi Naxal.”
Rijiju Lists Who Can Be Called ‘Dimaagi Naxals’
Mufti was responding to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not used the term “dimaagi Naxal” for opposition leaders.
Rijiju said the term should instead be used for people who support Maoists and reject the Constitution, back separatists and Article 370, or seek to separate the northeastern region from the rest of India.
“PM @narendramodi ji didn’t say opposition leaders as dimagi Naxals,” Rijiju said in his post.
He then listed those he believed could be described as “dimaagi Naxals”, including people who “stand with separatists & support Article 370”.
Mufti’s response directly referred to that definition, as she has consistently opposed the Centre’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.
Modi’s ‘Dimaagi Naxal’ Remark Sparks Political Row
The exchange came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the term “dimaagi Naxals” during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
Modi said India had made significant progress in eliminating armed Naxalism but warned that an ideological form of Naxalism continued to pose a challenge.
According to Modi, such elements were looking for opportunities to promote violence, unrest and disorder and were attempting to influence society and policies.
He called on people to “identify and isolate” such elements and urged the youth to remain connected with the mainstream.
Opposition Leaders Hit Back
Modi’s remarks have triggered a political exchange between the BJP and opposition parties, with several leaders questioning the use of the term “dimaagi Naxal”.
Congress leader P. Chidambaram also reacted to Modi’s remarks on Sunday, saying, “I am proud to be a dimagi naxal!”
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also criticised the prime minister, saying that Modi had earlier used the term “urban Naxals” and was now referring to “dimaagi Naxals”.
