New Delhi, July 31 (NationPress) Hindu spiritual leaders expressed their approval of the ruling from the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that acquitted all seven individuals accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, deeming it a significant moment of justice. They are now calling for an apology from the Congress leadership and the Gandhi family, whom they accuse of orchestrating a conspiracy to tarnish the image of Hindus.

The court found the accused, which included former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, not guilty due to insufficient evidence concerning charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Spiritual leaders claimed that the case was part of a political agenda during the UPA government aimed at defaming Hindus with labels like "Hindu terrorism (Bhagwa atankwad)".

Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, remarked to IANS, "Where there is righteousness, victory is bound to happen. The Malegaon blast case was extremely complex. During the UPA era, under Sonia and Rahul Gandhi's leadership, many honorable saints of the Hindu community were imprisoned for years."

“They endured suffering for 17 long years. This was a conspiracy orchestrated by the Congress against the Hindus of the nation. The Congress must apologize. Hindus can never be terrorists," he added.

Mahant Raju Das, priest of Shri Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya, expressed, "This incident deeply wounded Hindu sentiments as the term 'Bhagwa atankwad' was used to slander us. With today's court ruling, all seven have been acquitted. The Congress has been disgraced. Will Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders apologize for defaming our seers and using such terminology?"

“Will they apologize for the 17 years these innocent individuals lost, for the torture they endured? We demand an apology from Congress to all Hindus," he added.

Former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti stated, "This outcome was inevitable because truth always prevails. However, the Congress, in its bid to protect terrorists and lament their deaths, had the audacity to label a sacred aspect of Indian culture—saffron—as terrorism. In a sense, the court's ruling serves as a self-inflicted blow to Congress."

Saints in Haridwar also praised the judgment and expressed their gratitude towards the judiciary.

A saint commented, "The verdict delivered by the NIA court is commendable and impartial. We express our gratitude to the NIA court. On this day of Tulsidas Jayanti, all seven innocent individuals, including our Sadhvi Pragya, have regained their freedom after enduring years of hardship. Hindus can neither be terrorists nor act against the country."

Another seer noted, "This verdict is just. It has unveiled a longstanding conspiracy against Hindus. We appreciate the court's ruling."

The verdict was declared in a crowded courtroom, with all accused present as per the court's earlier directive. The court also mandated compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each of the six deceased and Rs 50,000 to every injured victim.