Malegaon Blast Verdict Sparks Fresh Debate On ‘Hindu Terror’ Narrative: Fadnavis Says Congress Coined Term To Target Hindutva Groups

The acquittal of seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case has reignited political debates, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alleging that the 'Hindu terror' narrative was constructed to target pro-Hindu organisations and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Times of India reported.

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai on Thursday acquitted all remaining accused in the case, including Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya, citing lack of evidence.

The court’s decision ended over 16-year-long legal battle surrounding the bomb blast that killed six people and injured over 90 in Malegaon, Nashik district.

Fadnavis was responding to both the verdict and to former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer Mehboob Mujawar's claim that he was pressured to arrest senior RSS functionaries, including Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, during the probe to create a saffron terror narrative.

"The Congress and UPA govt coined the terms ‘Hindu terrorism' and ‘saffron terror' to deliberately target Hindutva organisations," Fadnavis said.

"From the early 1990s to early 2000s, the world was grappling with Islamic terrorism, with links pointing at Pakistan. The United States, Europe, and India all faced deadly terror strikes. Instead of confronting reality, the Congress sought to please its vote bank," Fadnavis alleged.

Fadnavis credited "honest police officers" for resisting undue political pressure and ensuring that false charges were not pressed against individuals without evidence.

He said the attempt to brand Hindu groups as terror outfits was not backed by any concrete evidence.

"Many sincere and honest police officers took a stand. They categorically told the political leadership there was no proof against RSS or Vichar Parivar functionaries. These officers refused to be part of any unlawful activity, which ultimately prevented misuse of law enforcement agencies," he said.

Fadnavis said the fabricated narrative was a "deep-rooted conspiracy" to ban Hindutva organisations

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