Former BJP Member of Parliament, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, has responded strongly after receiving a clean chit from the NIA court in the Malegaon blast case. Describing the verdict as a “victory of Sanatanis,” she said that “non-believers have been exposed” and added that the truth had finally prevailed after 17 years.
The court acquitted all seven accused, including Sadhvi Pragya, in the 2008 Malegaon bombing case. The verdict sparked immediate political and ideological responses across platforms, especially in reaction to the earlier allegations of “Hindu terrorism.”
Court Acquits All Accused in Malegaon Bombing Case After 17 Years
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court has cleared all accused in the Malegaon 2008 blast case, citing lack of concrete evidence. Those acquitted include Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Colonel Purohit, Major Ramesh Upadhyay (Retd), Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, and Sameer Kulkarni. The court stated that prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The case had remained under national scrutiny for years, primarily due to the communal sensitivity surrounding the incident and the political narrative that followed.
Pragya Singh Thakur Targets Congress, Cites ‘Saffron Terror’ Narrative
Reacting to the verdict, Sadhvi Pragya posted on X, calling the court decision a moment of justice for Sanatan Dharma and those who believe in Hindu ideology. She targeted the Congress Party, blaming it for coining terms like “Saffron Terror” and “Hindu Terror”.
In her post, she wrote that the “creators of terms like Saffron Terror and Hindu Terror have been shamed today.” She referred to the verdict as a spiritual and ideological triumph and congratulated Sanatan followers and patriots. She ended her post with slogans like “Jai Hindu Rashtra” and “Jai Shri Ram”.
Earlier that day, she also shared an image of a saffron flag on social media, captioned with “Bhagwa Chir Vijayee Dhwaj,” reinforcing her commitment to the Hindutva ideology.
Background: The 2008 Malegaon Blast and the Charges
The Malegaon explosion occurred on 29 September 2008, in a crowded area near a mosque in Malegaon, located about 200 kilometers from Mumbai. An explosive device had been placed on a parked motorcycle, which detonated, killing six people and injuring over 100 others.
The motorcycle used in the blast was allegedly registered under the name of Sadhvi Pragya, which became the basis of her arrest. The incident led to national outrage and intense debate, as it was one of the rare cases where Hindu individuals were accused in a terrorism case.
This shifted the political conversation, and several Congress leaders began referring to “Hindu terror” or “Saffron terror,” sparking ideological clashes with right-wing groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
BJP Accuses Congress of Defaming Sanatan Dharma
With the court verdict now acquitting all the accused, BJP leaders and supporters are demanding accountability from the Congress party. BJP spokespersons have stated that the earlier allegations were an attempt to malign the image of Hindus and saffron identity for political gain.
Sadhvi Pragya, in particular, highlighted that her arrest had been used by political opponents to propagate false narratives about Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma. She stated that the court’s decision had finally restored dignity to the saffron movement and ended the propaganda.
Legal Observations and Verdict Highlights
The NIA court, after years of hearing testimonies and examining evidence, concluded that there was insufficient material to convict the accused. The judge observed that the evidence presented lacked consistency, and key testimonies failed to hold under cross-examination.
While the prosecution had relied on the motorcycle registration and some alleged meetings between the accused, the court found that these links could not conclusively establish a criminal conspiracy.
This judgment marks the end of a long legal journey that began shortly after the blast and continued through multiple investigation teams, agency transfers, and years of courtroom arguments.
Public and Political Reactions Remain Divided
The verdict has created ripples across political and social circles. While Hindutva supporters and BJP leaders have welcomed the decision, others have expressed concern over the message such a verdict may send.
Supporters of the verdict see it as a vindication of those who were, in their view, wrongly targeted for ideological reasons. Critics argue that the acquittal does not necessarily mean innocence but rather reflects weaknesses in investigation and prosecution.
Nevertheless, for Sadhvi Pragya and other acquitted individuals, the judgment offers legal relief after a decade and a half of court appearances, incarceration, and public scrutiny.
The Broader Impact on Political Narrative and Hindutva Discourse
The Malegaon blast case has had far-reaching impact on political narratives in India. The terms “Saffron Terror” and “Hindu Terror” became part of national debate, especially during the UPA era. With this verdict, BJP is expected to renew its attack on Congress for allegedly attempting to defame Sanatan Dharma for political motives.
The episode also reflects the complex intersection of religion, politics, and law in India. As the country heads toward the next general election, this verdict could become a talking point for BJP’s campaign, especially in areas where religious identity plays a crucial electoral role.
Sadhvi Pragya’s Political Journey and Future Prospects
Sadhvi Pragya entered active politics with BJP and became MP from Bhopal in 2019. Her candidature had sparked national debate due to her background in the Malegaon case. Despite criticism, she won the election with a huge margin.
Now, with her acquittal confirmed, she may re-emerge as a prominent face of hardline Hindutva politics. Her statements after the verdict suggest that she will continue advocating for Hindu Rashtra and pushing forward a more assertive cultural narrative.
It remains to be seen whether BJP officially gives her a larger platform or if she chooses to operate more independently under the broader Sangh Parivar ideology.
The Malegaon blast acquittal brings a legal closure to one of India’s most controversial terrorism cases. For the seven accused, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the ruling comes after 17 years of legal struggle, public scrutiny, and emotional trauma.
While the court decision ends the case officially, the political and ideological consequences are far from over. The use of terms like “Saffron Terror” will likely be debated further in light of this judgment. Parties on both sides may use the verdict to justify their ideological stands.
For now, the legal victory belongs to the accused, but the narrative battle over religion, politics, and justice in India continues.
