The perils of the ‘Dimagi Naxal’ tag
A critic of the government cannot be called a ‘Dimagi Naxal’. Criticism of government is fundamental to democracy.
Updated At : 07:06 AM Aug 20, 2026 IST
Balance : A democracy must protect dissent, including dissent that is uncomfortable. ANI
IN his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of ‘Dimagi Naxals.’ The expression has predictably generated controversy. The term Naxal is not new to India. For decades, successive governments at the Centre and in the states have struggled to bring Naxalism under control. The word evokes guns, violence, death and surrender; it has never been a term carrying positive political connotations.
