- Political storm erupts after all accused acquitted
Indore/Bhopal, A special NIA court on Monday delivered a historic verdict in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, acquitting all seven accused. Among those implicated in 2008 were Indore resident Shyam Sahu and former Bhopal MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. While Shyam Sahu received relief from the court in 2017, he endured three years of “inhuman torture” in jail. After 17 long years, the truth has emerged, but a poignant question lingers: can the lost years ever truly be recovered?
“A political conspiracy by Congress”: Shyam Sahu’s Allegation
Following the court’s decision, Shyam Sahu launched a scathing attack on Congress leaders, accusing them of framing him as part of a conspiracy orchestrated by Digvijaya Singh and Sonia Gandhi. He recounted the immense personal toll, including the death of his elder brother from a heart attack during his wrongful incarceration. “I spent three years in jail for no reason,” Sahu lamented, detailing torture by the ATS and NIA, and the “mental and financial tragedy” endured by his family.
Sadhvi Pragya: “A conspiracy to defame saffron”
Outside the court, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the former Bhopal MP, declared, “I am alive because I am a sanyasi (ascetic). Saffron was targeted to hide Islamic terrorism. My entire life of renunciation was snatched away.” She asserted that she stood alone through the ordeal, proclaiming, “Today, Saffron and Hindutva have triumphed. God will punish the guilty.”
BJP attacks Congress, demands apology
The verdict immediately ignited a political firestorm, with the BJP launching a full-scale offensive against the Congress. MLA Rameshwar Sharma accused Congress and Digvijaya Singh of coining the term “Hindu terrorism” to “cover up Islamic terrorism.” He demanded an apology from the Congress to Hindus now that the court has acquitted all accused. Minister Rakesh Singh, addressing the Assembly, also cited the verdict, stating it “now makes it clear that there is no such thing as Hindu terrorism.”
In response, former CM Kamal Nath stated, “This is a court decision; it can be appealed. The BJP can say whatever it wants, but the legal process will continue.” Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Uma Bharti celebrated on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Former Bhopal MP Sadhvi Pragya has been proven innocent today. Congratulations to her and commendation to the Honorable Court.”
No religion for terrorism: Digvijaya Singh
Congress leader and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh asserted that terrorism has no religion. “There is no Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Christian terrorism,” he declared, emphasizing that all religions preach love, peace, and harmony. He stated that true terrorists are those who exploit faith to spread hatred. Singh also vehemently denied that Congress ever coined the term “Hindu terrorism,” dismissing such accusations as “completely false and misleading.”
