Lanka Dinakar Criticises P. Chidambaram Over ‘Dimagi Naxalite’ Remarks
Lanka Dinakar, Chairman of the Twenty Points Programme (Viksit Bharat–Swarna Andhra Pradesh) Implementation, has questioned senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram after the latter reportedly described himself as a self-declared “Dimagi Naxalite.” Dinakar stated that such self-declared individuals pose a danger to India’s objective of achieving Viksit Bharat.
What Happened
According to Lanka Dinakar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the phrase “Dimagi Naxalite” on August 15, 2026, during his address on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day celebrations. The Prime Minister used the term to characterize individuals who hinder the nation’s growth, prosperity, and the broader mission of Viksit Bharat. Dinakar pointed out that the Prime Minister did not identify any single person by name when using the term.
Dinakar remarked that following the Prime Minister’s speech, certain individuals have come forward and revealed themselves. He specifically asked why P. Chidambaram chose to portray himself as a self-declared “Dimagi Naxalite.”
Key Highlights
- Term Origin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used “Dimagi Naxalite” during his August 15, 2026 Independence Day address without naming any specific person.
- Dinakar’s Response: Lanka Dinakar stated that “Self-Declared Dimagi Naxals” stand as an obstacle to achieving Viksit Bharat.
- Questions on UPA Record: Dinakar challenged Chidambaram to answer how many civilians and police personnel were killed by Naxalites during the UPA tenure between 2004 and 2014.
- Loss of Weapons and Spread: Dinakar asked for accountability on how many times police weapons were looted by Naxals between 2004 and 2014, and how many districts were impacted by Naxalism in 2013.
- Call for Comparison: Dinakar challenged Chidambaram to debate the current record on eliminating Naxalite impact against the track record of the previous UPA government.
Why This Matters
The exchange highlights an ongoing political debate regarding internal security and national development. By raising specific data points from the 2004 to 2014 period under the UPA government, Dinakar seeks a direct comparison between previous administrative responses to Naxalism and current efforts aimed at eradicating Naxalite influence across the country.
What to Watch Next
Further responses or public debate from P. Chidambaram and the Congress party regarding the questions raised by Lanka Dinakar on the UPA government’s internal security record remain to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lanka Dinakar?
Lanka Dinakar is the State Twenty Point Programme implementation committee chairman, heading the Twenty Points Programme (Viksit Bharat–Swarna Andhra Pradesh) Implementation.
When was the term ‘Dimagi Naxalite’ used by the Prime Minister?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the phrase on August 15, 2026, during his speech at the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
Did the Prime Minister name P. Chidambaram in his speech?
No. Lanka Dinakar confirmed that Prime Minister Modi did not name any specific individual when referring to “Dimagi Naxalites.”
Source: Based on a report by The Hindu.