Amid the ongoing controversy over the ‘dimagi naxal’ remark, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal said that “intellectual Naxals” are individuals who operate not through weapons but through ideas, embedding themselves in civil society under various professional guises. He alleged that such individuals typically present themselves as professors, teachers, NGO operators, intellectuals, poets and writers in urban settings, using platforms such as articles, conferences and seminars to spread what he described as a “violent ideology” among the public, particularly targeting the youth.
“Today, I want to talk about ‘dimagi naxali’. These intellectual Naxals do not live in forests or ravines. They do not carry weapons or fire bullets. They solely use their intellect,” Brij Lal said.
“In cities, they appear in the guise of professors, teachers, NGO operators, intellectuals, poets, writers and others. They write articles, conduct conferences and organise seminars, and through these conferences and seminars, they instill their violent ideology in the public psyche, especially in the minds of the youth…” he added.
Watch: BJP MP Brij Lal says, "Today, I want to talk about 'dimagi naxali'. These intellectual Naxals do not live in forests or ravines. They do not carry weapons or fire bullets. They solely use their intellect. In cities, they appear in the guise of professors, teachers, NGO… pic.twitter.com/EwxdECMFcv
— IANS (@ians_india) August 16, 2026
Brij Lal’s remarks come days after PM Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, warned against ‘dimagi naxals’ who he said had entrenched themselves within the system and continued to influence public policy through positions, urging citizens to “identify and isolate” them.
“We have succeeded in getting rid of armed Naxals in the jungles, but ‘dimagi Naxals’ (intellectual Naxals) are looking for opportunities to create violence, unrest … They want to drag the society on the wrong path,” PM Modi said.
The remark had triggered a political row, with senior Congress leader P Chidambaram hitting back by declaring on X that he was “proud to be a dimagi naxal.” On Monday, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said he is proud to be a ‘dimagi naxal’ as he is a ‘true patriot’ and does not fear the BJP.
“According to PM Modi, those who dare to question are ‘damagi naxals’, who do not fear the BJP. If Bhagat Singh, BR Ambedkar were alive today, then they would also be termed ‘dimagi Naxal’ according to the prime minister,” Kejriwal said in a video message. “I am a true patriot; hence I am a ‘dimagi naxal’ according to you (Modi). If someone says anything against India, I will oppose with full force,” Kejriwal added.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had subsequently clarified that the Prime Minister’s remark was not directed at opposition leaders, listing out specific categories on Sunday — including those who support Maoists and reject the Constitution, back separatists on Article 370, or seek to separate India’s northeast — as the actual targets of the term.