Did Congress Attempt to Damage BJP’s Reputation in the Malegaon Verdict?
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Synopsis
The BJP's response to the Malegaon blast verdict highlights the ongoing political battle between the BJP and Congress. With accusations of narrative manipulation and a recent court ruling, this article delves into the implications of the case and its impact on both parties.
Key Takeaways
- The BJP claims Congress attempted to manipulate narratives against it.
- The Malegaon blast case concluded with the acquittal of all accused.
- Key political figures reacted to the court's ruling with varied responses.
- Victims’ families are unsatisfied and plan to appeal the court's decision.
- The case highlights ongoing tensions within Indian politics.
Bhopal, July 31 (NationPress) In response to the verdict delivered by the Special NIA Court concerning the Malegaon blast case, the Madhya Pradesh BJP asserted on Thursday that the Congress party attempted to fabricate a narrative using terms like 'Bhagava Atankwad' to harm the reputation of the BJP and its followers.
Former Madhya Pradesh minister and BJP MLA, Usha Thakur, remarked to IANS, “The Congress tried to create a narrative against the BJP to tarnish our image. The term 'Bhagava Atankwad' has been proven false by today’s Mumbai court ruling. This is a significant victory for all of us.”
In reaction to the ruling, senior BJP Minister Inder Singh Parmar stated, “The public has already turned their backs on Congress and its narrative of Bhagwa Atankwad, and today’s judgment confirms that. She (Pragya Thakur) has asserted that she endured unnecessary torture.”
Congress leaders also expressed their intention to respect the court's decision.
Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, along with senior MLA Phool Singh Baraia, acknowledged the court’s ruling positively.
Kamal Nath mentioned to IANS upon his arrival for the fourth day of the monsoon session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, “It’s the court's verdict, and we must all respect it.”
Following the acquittal of all seven individuals charged in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, a victim's family member expressed their discontent with the ruling.
“Today’s court ruling is not justice. We seek justice, and we will approach the Supreme Court. The verdict has caused us deep pain, and we will contest this decision in the High Court,” stated Dr. Ansari Ahmad, a relative of a blast victim, while speaking to IANS in Mumbai.
The 17-year-long trial encountered numerous twists, featuring three charge sheets, including a supplementary one, filed by two investigative agencies: the ATS of Maharashtra and the NIA. Both entities altered the prosecution's narrative at pivotal moments, frequently adding and removing witnesses.
Key facts, developments, and dates related to the case:
September 29, 2008: Six individuals were killed in Malegaon following a motorcycle bomb explosion, inciting riots.
Accused: Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, former BJP MP from Bhopal; Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit, serving officer in Military Intelligence; Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay; Ajay Rahirkar; Sudhakar Dwivedi; Sudhakar Chaturvedi; and Sameer Kulkarni.
Genesis of ‘Hindu terror’: The ATS, led by Hemant Karkare, alleged that the blast was executed by individuals associated with right-wing Hindu extremist factions, leading to the term ‘Hindu terror’ being coined.
October 2008: The ATS detained Sadhvi Pragya and Purohit, both accused of ties to Abhinav Bharat, which purportedly planned a ‘revenge attack’ on Muslims.
November 2008: The motorcycle utilized in the blast was secured as evidence, and Karkare was killed during the 26/11 attack.
2016-2017: The NIA submitted a supplementary charge sheet, removing MCOCA charges but retaining terrorism charges, accusing the ATS of fabricating evidence.
2017: Purohit was granted bail by the Supreme Court; the High Court also granted bail to Sadhvi Pragya.
October 2018: Charges were formally framed against the seven accused.
December 2018: The trial officially commenced in the Special NIA Court.
September 2023: The prosecution concluded its arguments after examining 323 witnesses, 37 of whom became hostile.
April 19, 2025: The Special NIA Court in Mumbai reserved its judgment following the conclusion of final arguments.
July 31, 2025: The Special NIA Court acquitted all seven accused who had been on bail, directing the Maharashtra government to compensate Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Point of View
This verdict underscores the complex interplay of justice and politics in India. The BJP's claims of a Congress narrative aimed at damaging its reputation reveal the ongoing tensions between these two major parties. Moving forward, it remains crucial for all stakeholders to respect judicial outcomes while ensuring that justice prevails for victims and their families.
NationPress
21/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the Malegaon blast case?
The Special NIA Court acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on July 31, 2025.
What is the significance of 'Bhagava Atankwad'?
'Bhagava Atankwad' is a term used by the Congress party, which BJP claims was fabricated to damage their reputation.
Who were the key accused in the case?
The key accused included Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit, and others linked to right-wing Hindu extremist groups.
What reactions followed the court's verdict?
While the BJP celebrated the acquittal, Congress leaders expressed respect for the court's decision.
What steps are families of victims planning to take after the verdict?
Victims' families expressed disappointment and indicated plans to challenge the verdict in the High Court and seek justice in the Supreme Court.
