2 weeks ago
Naxal violence victims condemn Chidambaram's 'dimaagi Naxal' remark
In India, some leaders were arguing about rebel fighters called Naxals, who have used bombs and guns.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said that people who support Naxals with their ideas, which he called 'dimaagi Naxals,' are also dangerous.
A Congress leader named P Chidambaram then said he is proud to be a dimaagi Naxal.
He said it to poke fun at the Prime Minister's warning.
People who were hurt by real Naxal violence were very upset by his words.
One of them, a soldier named Rudresh Singh, lost his leg below the knee after a bomb blast by Naxals.
He called Chidambaram's statement completely worthless talk.
The victims held a meeting in New Delhi to say how deeply hurt they were.
They asked why a former home minister would make such a remark.
They want to move forward on the path of peace and want their home region, Bastar, to develop.
Victims of Maoist violence condemned Congress leader P Chidambaram for saying he is 'proud to be a dimaagi Naxal.'
Chidambaram's remark was a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had warned about 'dimaagi Naxals' in his Independence Day address.
CRPF jawan Rudresh Singh, injured in a Maoist IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, said his leg had to be amputated below the knee.
Victims from the Bastar region addressed a press conference at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi under the Bastar Shanti Committee.
Victim Siyaram Ramteke questioned Chidambaram's intent and urged everyone to support peace and development in Bastar.
- Who
- Naxal violence victims, including CRPF jawan Rudresh Singh and Siyaram Ramteke, criticized senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, whose remark responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Victims condemned Chidambaram's statement 'I am proud to be a dimaagi Naxal' at a press conference.
- Where
- Constitution Club of India, New Delhi; the Naxal violence cited occurred in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district and Bastar region.
- When
- The press conference was held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026; Chidambaram made the remark on Sunday, a day after Modi's warning in his 80th Independence Day address.
- Why
- Chidambaram made the remark as a swipe at PM Modi's warning about 'dimaagi Naxals'; victims said such statements were hurtful and made to increase followers or push an agenda.
Congress leader P Chidambaram
PM Narendra Modi and Naxal violence victims
The 'dimaagi Naxal' remark
Congress leader P Chidambaram
Chidambaram took a swipe at PM Modi, declaring: 'I am proud to be a dimaagi Naxal.'
PM Narendra Modi and Naxal violence victims
Victims called the statement 'completely worthless talk' and said they were 'deeply hurt' by the comment.
Threat from 'dimaagi Naxals'
Congress leader P Chidambaram
Chidambaram's retort embraced the 'dimaagi Naxal' label rather than treating it as a threat.
PM Narendra Modi and Naxal violence victims
Modi warned that 'dimaagi Naxals' are entrenched in the system, manipulate policies, and promote violence and anarchy, urging citizens to identify and isolate them.
Impact on victims of Naxal violence
Congress leader P Chidambaram
Chidambaram's statement was aimed at Prime Minister Modi as a political swipe.
PM Narendra Modi and Naxal violence victims
Victims said the remark deeply hurt them; Singh noted he now lives with an amputated leg because of Naxal violence.
Key facts
- Event
- Press conference by Naxal violence victims denouncing P Chidambaram's remark
- Controversial remark
- "I am proud to be a dimaagi Naxal" - P Chidambaram
- Context
- Swipe at PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day warning about "dimaagi Naxals"
- Venue
- Constitution Club of India, New Delhi
- Organizer
- Bastar Shanti Committee
- Key victim statement
- Rudresh Singh, CRPF jawan, lost a leg below the knee after a Maoist IED blast in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh
- Date
- August 18, 2026 (press conference); remark made on Sunday
- Victims' demand
- Peace and development for Bastar
Quotes
P Chidambaram
Senior Congress leader and former Home Minister
“I am proud to be a dimaagi Naxal.”
theprint.in









