Punjab Newsline | New Delhi

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reported reference to voices opposing the government as “mental Naxals” during his Independence Day address.

In a video message released on Monday, Kejriwal said, “Yes, I am a mental Naxal,” adding that he was a patriot and proud of it. He said that according to the Prime Minister’s definition, anyone who questions the system, seeks to change what he described as a “rotten” system, or dreams of a corruption-free India could be labelled a “mental Naxal.”

Kejriwal said people demanding better government schools, hospitals, electricity, water, sewerage, drainage and public services should not be branded anti-national.

He further invoked freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and architect of the Indian Constitution Dr B.R. Ambedkar, saying that if they were alive today and continued to question the system and fight for equality, they too could have been labelled “mental Naxals” under such a definition.

“I am Arvind Kejriwal, and according to him, I am a mental Naxal because I am a patriot. I am proud of this,” Kejriwal said.

He also drew a distinction between questioning the government and acting against the country, saying that if anyone did or said anything against the nation, he would oppose it with all his strength.

Sanjay Singh Targets PM Over Youth Protests

AAP senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also criticised the Prime Minister, claiming that the government was increasingly uncomfortable with young people raising questions about education, employment and public services.

Singh said the younger generation was demanding an end to paper leaks, better schools and improvements in their daily lives. He questioned whether young people protesting for jobs and against paper leaks were being described as “mental Naxals.”

He also referred to children demanding better school infrastructure, including proper classrooms, facilities and quality mid-day meals, and asked whether raising such issues could be considered “mental Naxalism.”

Singh alleged that the government could not tolerate people, particularly youngsters, farmers and women, raising their voices over issues affecting them.

In a post on X, Singh again questioned the use of the term, asking whether members of Gen-Z protesting against paper leaks and children demanding better schools were being called “mental Naxals.”

He argued that young people raising their voices for their rights were not against the country and said they would continue to speak up for their demands.

The remarks have added to the ongoing political confrontation between the AAP and the BJP over the government’s description of dissent and protests against its policies.