New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent ‘dimagi naxal’ remark, declaring that he was “proud” to be one and describing himself as a “true patriot”.

Kejriwal said those who question the government and seek changes in the system were being branded as ‘dimagi naxals’ and asserted that he was not afraid of the BJP.

The exchange comes after PM Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, warned against what he described as “dimagi Naxals” and called for such elements to be “identified and isolated”. Modi said that while armed Naxalism had been largely eliminated, an ideological form of Naxalism continued to pose a threat.

Responding to the Prime Minister, Kejriwal said people who questioned the government and did not fear the BJP were being labelled ‘dimagi naxals’.

“According to PM Modi, those who dare to question are ‘dimagi naxals’, who do not fear the BJP,” Kejriwal said in a video message.

He further invoked freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and B R Ambedkar, saying that they too could have been described as ‘dimagi naxals’ under the Prime Minister’s definition.

Kejriwal said people seeking a better system, an end to corruption and improved public facilities such as drainage and hospitals would also be branded ‘dimagi naxals’.

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Kejriwal said he considered himself a patriot and would oppose anyone who spoke against India.

“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,” he said.

The former Delhi chief minister's remarks come amid a political exchange over the Prime Minister's use of the term ‘dimagi naxals’ in his Independence Day address.

Earlier, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram had also taken a swipe at Modi over the remark, saying, “I am proud to be a dimagi naxal.”

With PTI inputs