NEW DELHI, AUGUST 18: Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day comments regarding critical voices, reframing the term “dimaagi Naxal” as a badge of patriotic duty. The former Delhi Chief Minister declared that questioning system deficiencies and working toward public sector reforms constitutes true service to the nation.
“According to the Prime Minister, a ‘dimaagi naxal’ is anyone who has the courage to question things in this country,” Kejriwal stated, responding to the central address via a video message.
The AAP leader asserted that any individual advocating for administrative accountability, functional public utilities, or anti-corruption efforts is being targeted under the classification.
“Anyone who wants to change the rotten system, wants good government schools, hospitals, electricity, water, sewerage, drainage and good governance, or dreams of a corruption-free India, is a ‘dimaagi naxal’ according to the Prime Minister,” Kejriwal stated.
Connecting the political rhetoric to historic freedom fighters, Kejriwal argued that key figures of India’s independence movement would face similar labels under current central leadership.
“If Bhagat Singh were alive today, the Prime Minister would call him a ‘dimaagi naxal’ too,” Kejriwal stated, adding that Babasaheb Ambedkar would also face similar characterization for demanding equality.
Directly accepting the label, the AAP convenor maintained his stance of challenging central government actions while promising to oppose anti-national elements.
“I want to tell the Prime Minister that I, Arvind Kejriwal, am a ‘dimaagi naxal’ according to him because I am a patriot, and I am proud of it,” Kejriwal stated, affirming that he will confront anyone acting against the nation.
Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also criticized the Prime Minister’s remarks, questioning whether students protesting examination paper leaks and inadequate school infrastructure should be branded with such labels. Singh asserted that public demonstrations by youth, farmers, and women reflect legitimate demands for rights rather than political extremism.
