An NIA special court has sentenced Mohammed Shariq, the prime accused in the Mangaluru cooker blast case, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, triggering a sharp political response in Karnataka. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday welcomed the verdict, stating it reinforces India's firm stance against terrorism, and simultaneously demanded a public apology from Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leaders for statements they allegedly made in favour of the accused after the blast.

What the Court Decided

The NIA special court found Mohammed Shariq guilty in the Mangaluru cooker blast case and handed down a sentence of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Vijayendra described the judgment as proof that forces threatening national security have no place in India's legal system. He added that the efficiency of central investigative agencies and the judiciary's strict approach should instil confidence among the public.

BJP's Demand for an Apology

Vijayendra alleged that certain Congress leaders had, at the initial stage of the case, referred to the accused as "brother" and described the blast as an "accident", thereby allegedly attempting to justify acts of terror. He charged that such leaders had indulged in what he called appeasement politics by supporting anti-national elements for political gain.

Vijayendra demanded that if those leaders have any moral responsibility, they should apologise to the people of Karnataka. He reiterated his party's position that terrorism has no religion and that there can be no forgiveness for acts of terror or those who support them. He further warned that attitudes of standing with anti-national elements for political gain pose a serious threat to internal security.

The December 2022 Controversy Revisited

The BJP leader's remarks revived a controversy dating to December 2022, when Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar had publicly questioned the official labelling of the Mangaluru cooker blast as a "terror act". Shivakumar had alleged that the then-ruling BJP government was using the cooker blast — which occurred inside an autorickshaw — to divert public attention from a voter data theft scandal in Bengaluru. He had also questioned how police could declare the suspect a terrorist without completing a full investigation.

Broader Significance

The conviction comes at a politically charged moment in Karnataka, where the BJP is in opposition and has consistently sought to highlight what it describes as the ruling Congress government's soft approach toward terrorism-related cases. Vijayendra's remarks signal that his party intends to keep the issue alive ahead of future electoral cycles. The NIA's successful prosecution also underscores the agency's continued role in pursuing terror-related cases through dedicated special courts, a framework that has drawn both praise and scrutiny over the years.