Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 2: In her first public reaction following the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Saturday took aim at the Congress and other political opponents, declaring that those who coined the term ‘saffron terrorism’ have been “disgraced.”
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), she said:
“The Congress, along with all other non-believers, who are the originators of ‘saffron terrorism’ and ‘Hindu terrorism’, have been disgraced… The victory of saffron, Hindutva, and Sanatan has led to the triumph of all Sanatanis and patriots. Heartfelt congratulations… Jai Hindu Rashtra, Jai Shri Ram.”
The remarks come just two days after a special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused, citing lack of evidence in the 2008 Malegaon blast that killed six people and injured over 100 others during Ramzan in the communally sensitive town of Malegaon, Maharashtra.
Court's Findings
Special Judge A.K. Lahoti, in his ruling, stated that while it was established that a bomb explosion occurred, the prosecution failed to prove that the explosive-laden motorcycle belonged to Sadhvi Pragya. The chassis number was found wiped off and engine number was illegible, undercutting the key link in the prosecution’s case.
The seven accused — including Lt Col Shrikant Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya — were charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including murder, criminal conspiracy, and promoting enmity between groups.
Case Timeline and Controversy
• The blast took place on September 29, 2008, near Bhikku Chowk, Malegaon.
• The Maharashtra ATS initially handled the case before the NIA took over in 2011.
• Sadhvi Pragya was arrested in 2008, remained in custody for nearly nine years, and was granted bail in 2017.
• She later contested and won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Bhopal on a BJP ticket.
The case has remained politically contentious, often invoked in national debates over the concept of “saffron terror”. Many BJP leaders have claimed the case was politically motivated, while critics accused the NIA of diluting the charges after a change in government at the Centre.
Political Reactions Expected
Sadhvi Pragya’s provocative post is likely to trigger sharp reactions from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which has historically backed the original investigation. The acquittal also raises fresh questions about the handling of terror-related cases, judicial delays, and the standards of evidence in high-profile prosecutions.
As of now, neither the NIA nor the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a formal statement on the acquittals.