Hindu terrorism

Hindu terrorism, or sometimes Hindutva terror,{{cite journal |last=Gatade |first=S. |date=2014 |title=Pawns In, Patrons Still Out: Understanding the Phenomenon of Hindutva Terror |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=49 |issue=13 |pages=36–43 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24479356 |jstor=24479356}}{{cite journal |last=Bidwai |first=P. |date=2008 |title=Confronting the Reality of Hindutva Terrorism |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=43 |issue=47 |pages=10–13 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/40278200 |jstor=40278200}} or metonymically saffron terror,{{cite journal |last=Gittinger |first=J. |date=2011 |title=Saffron Terror: Splinter or Symptom? |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=46 |issue=37 |pages=22–25 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23047273 |jstor=23047273}}{{cite web | url=https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/saffron-terror-and-hindutva-ideology | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127035910/https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/saffron-terror-and-hindutva-ideology | archive-date=27 November 2024 | title=Saffron Terror and Hindutva Ideology }} refer to terrorist acts carried out, on the basis of motivations in broad association with Hindu nationalism or Hindutva.

The phenomenon became a topic of contentious political discourse in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 attacks, which targeted Pakistanis and Muslims in India, where the accused were members, or alleged members, of Hindu nationalist organisations such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Abhinav Bharat.{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/759508/hindutva-terror-cases-nia-on-the-backfoot-as-apex-court-questions-complicity-charges|title=Hindutva terror cases: NIA on the backfoot as apex court questions complicity charges|first=Vipin|last=Pubby|website=Scroll.in|date=4 October 2015 }}{{cite news |author=Christophe Jaffrelot |title=A running thread of deep saffron |newspaper=The Indian Express|date=29 January 2009 |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-running-thread-of-deep-saffron/416409/ |access-date=2014-11-17}}{{cite news |author=Subhash Gatade |title=Saffron terror |newspaper=Himal |date=October 2007 |url=http://old.himalmag.com/component/content/article/1340-saffron-terror.html |access-date=16 December 2014 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526191105/http://old.himalmag.com/component/content/article/1340-saffron-terror.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=https://jacobin.com/2024/09/rss-terror-india-hindutva-modi | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209234310/https://jacobin.com/2024/09/rss-terror-india-hindutva-modi | archive-date=9 December 2024 | title=India's Largest Paramilitary Force Got Away with Terror }}

Terminology

= "Hindu terrorism" and "Hindutva terrorism" =

According to Nikita Saxena writing for The Caravan, the term "Hindu terrorism" gained traction in the wake of the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings and 2008 Malegaon blasts.{{cite magazine |magazine=The Caravan |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/religion/elections-2019-hindu-terror-islamic-sikh-terrorism-mac-narendra-modi |title=Good Faith, Bad Faith |first=Nikita |last=Saxena |date=15 May 2019}}{{Undue weight inline|date=April 2023|reason=No evidence available; can't trump scholarly sources}} A prominent reference to "Hindu terrorism" was made by Indian National Congress (Congress) member Digvijaya Singh in a 2007 campaign.{{Cite news |date=2007-12-23 |title=EC strictures Modi, Digvijay |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ec-strictures-modi-digvijay/articleshow/2644071.cms |access-date=2023-05-01 |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=2010-12-10 |title=US embassy cables: Mumbai conspiracy allegations 'outrageous' – US ambassador |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/184566 |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Shekhar |first=Kumar Shakti |date=20 December 2010 |title=Offence is Cong's defence |newspaper=The Pioneer |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/305049/Offence-is-Cong%E2%80%99s-defence.html |url-status=dead |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223024332/http://dailypioneer.com/305049/Offence-is-Cong%E2%80%99s-defence.html |archive-date=23 December 2010}}{{refn|group=Note|The BJP criticised these statements and filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India, citing it as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Singh on this complaint.{{cite news |date=10 December 2007 |title=Deuce! EC notice to Sonia, Digvijay |work=The Economic Times |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Deuce-EC-notice-to-Sonia-Digvijay/articleshow/2609302.cms |access-date=10 October 2010}}}}

While the perpetrators have consistently justified these acts by their Hindu faith, some writers prefer to use the term "Hindutva terrorism".{{cn|date=February 2025}} Writer and activist Subhash Ghatade asserts that "most critics" have avoided describing the term as "Hindu terrorism" and instead talked about "Hindutva terrorism". Political scientist Jyotirmaya Sharma argues that "there is no Hindu terrorism" because the perpetrators do not represent the Hindu faith.Jyotirmaya Sharma, [https://thewire.in/politics/there-is-no-hindu-terrorism-but-there-is-something-called-sangh-parivar-terrorism There is No ‘Hindu Terrorism’. But There is Something Called Sangh Parivar Terrorism], The Wire, 18 April 2019.

According to the journalist and BJP leader Balbir Punj, the term "Hindu terror" was invented and used by the Congress party in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 incidents in order to denounce the party's political opposition as terrorists.{{Cite news |author=Balbir Punb |title=Not terrified of terrorism |newspaper=The Pioneer |date=12 December 2008 |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/142835/Not-terrified-of-terrorism.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616100602/https://www.dailypioneer.com/142835/Not-terrified-of-terrorism.html |archive-date=2011-06-16}} In the 2018 book Hindu Terror: Insider Account of Ministry of Home Affairs, Ramaswamy Venkata Subra Mani, a former officer in the Home Ministry, alleged that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had forced Home Ministry officials to manufacture a narrative about the presence of "Hindu terror".{{cite web |date=2 June 2018 |title=Book by MHA officer reveals how UPA manufactured Hindu terror narrative |url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/culture/book-mha-officer-reveals-upa-manufactured-hindu-terror-narrative |access-date=9 June 2018 |website=The Sunday Guardian Live}}

= "Saffron terror" =

The term "saffron terror" was coined in 2002 by the Indian journalist Praveen Swami after the 2002 Gujarat riots,{{cite journal |last1=Jahangir |first1=J. |last2=Mehmood |first2=S. |date=2022 |title=Saffron Terrorism in India |journal=Research Journal of Political Science |volume=11 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366985480}}{{Cite news |last=Praveen Swami |title=Saffron Terror |newspaper=Frontline |date=2002-03-16 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30244258.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120074842/https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30244258.ece |archive-date=2021-11-20 |url-status=live}} and gained popularity in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 attacks which targeted Pakistanis and Muslims and were reportedly instigated by people affiliated with Hindu nationalist organisations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Abhinav Bharat. The term comes from the symbolic use of the saffron colour by many Hindu nationalist organisations.{{cite news | url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-26/news/27614770_1_saffron-terror-terror-incidents-bomb-blasts | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120126212425/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-26/news/27614770_1_saffron-terror-terror-incidents-bomb-blasts | url-status = dead | archive-date = 26 January 2012 | title = Beware of saffron terror too, warns home minister |work=The Economic Times | date = 26 August 2010 | access-date = 10 October 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/93137/phrase-saffron-terror-takes-message.html |title=PC defends 'saffron terror' remark |newspaper= Deccan Herald |date=1 September 2010}}{{cite news| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_570749.html |title=Rise of Hindu 'saffron terror' New straits Times |date=25 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120090509/http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_570749.html |archive-date=20 January 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-call-it-hindutva-terror-not-hindu-terror/20111014.htm#1|title=Call it Hindutva terror, not Hindu terror|date=14 October 2011|publisher=rediff.com/news|access-date=16 December 2014|author=Vicky Nanjappa}}

Several analysts and commentators have said that the term was being used as a smear tactic against the political opponents of Congress in the aftermath of the attacks.{{cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/759508/hindutva-terror-cases-nia-on-the-backfoot-as-apex-court-questions-complicity-charges|title=Hindutva terror cases: NIA on the backfoot as apex court questions complicity charges|date=4 October 2015 }} Kanchan Gupta and Swapan Dasgupta have said that investigators of the attacks were using the term "saffron terror" in their statements to the media to promote the agenda of the Congress.{{cite web |url = http://rsschennai.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/free-media-tars-rss-with-fiction.html |title = 'Free' media tars RSS with fiction |author = Kanchan Gupta |date = 18 July 2010 |work = The Pioneer |access-date = 2014-11-17 |author-link = Kanchan Gupta }}{{cite web |url = http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main46.asp?filename=Ne070810coverstorypartIII.asp |title = Battleground heats up as the Hand plucks at the Lotus, one petal at a time |author = Swapan Dasgupta |date = 7 August 2010 |work = Tehelka |access-date = 30 July 2010 |author-link = Swapan Dasgupta |archive-date = 27 December 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131227121953/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main46.asp?filename=Ne070810coverstorypartIII.asp |url-status = dead }}

Former Home Minister of India and Congress member P. Chidambaram urged Indians to beware of "saffron terror" during an August 2010 meeting of state police chiefs in New Delhi;{{cite web |date=25 August 2010 |title=Saffron Terrorism — a new phenomenon, says Home Minister Chidambaram |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/saffron-terrorism-a-new-phenomenon-says-home-minister-chidambaram-47193 |access-date=14 November 2012 |publisher=NDTV.com}} his remark met with backlash from politicians and Hindu religious figures.{{cite news |author=Press Trust of India |author-link=Press Trust of India |date=30 August 2010 |title=Defamation suit against P Chidambaram for 'saffron terror' remark |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_defamation-suit-against-p-chidambaram-for-saffron-terror-remark_1431142 |access-date=30 August 2010}}{{cite news |date=6 September 2010 |title=Court orders probe into PC's saffron terror remarks |newspaper=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Court-orders-probe-into-PC-s-saffron-terror-remarks/Article1-596703.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909005727/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Court-orders-probe-into-PC-s-saffron-terror-remarks/Article1-596703.aspx |archive-date=9 September 2010}}{{cite news |author=TNN |date=28 August 2010 |title=Congress ticks off Chidambaram over 'saffron terror' remark |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Congress-ticks-off-Chidambaram-over-saffron-terror-remark/articleshow/6448566.cms |url-status=live |access-date=10 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105085941/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28321710_1_saffron-terror-colour-saffron-terror-strikes |archive-date=5 November 2012}}

2007–2008 attacks

= 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings =

Twin blasts shook two coaches of the Samjhauta Express around midnight on 18 February 2007. Sixty-eight people were killed in the ensuing fire and dozens were injured.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NewsMartImportedStories/66-die-in-terror-attack-on-Samjhauta-Express/Article1-206617.aspx |title=66 die in 'terror attack' on Samjhauta Express |work=Hindustan Times |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=11 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602173937/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NewsMartImportedStories/66-die-in-terror-attack-on-Samjhauta-Express/Article1-206617.aspx |archive-date=2 June 2013}} It was originally linked to Abhinav Bharat, a Hindu fundamentalist group.{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/The-Mirror-Explodes/266145 |title=The Mirror Explodes | Smruti Koppikar |publisher=Outlookindia.com |access-date=2014-11-17}} On 8 January 2011, Swami Aseemanand, a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), made a confession that he had been involved in the bombing of Samjhauta Express{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Aseemanand-owns-up-to-strike-on-Mecca-Masjid/articleshow/7238763.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928172014/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-08/india/28376204_1_aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar-bomb-for-bomb-plan |url-status=live |archive-date=28 September 2011 |title=Aseemanand owns up to strike on Mecca Masjid|date=8 January 2011 |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 March 2013}} - a statement he later said was made under duress.{{cite web|author=Rajinder Nagarkoti |agency=TNN |date=10 January 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Swami-Aseemanand-confessed-under-duress-Counsel/articleshow/7250302.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928114219/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/28378569_1_nia-court-samjhauta-express-blasts-blasts-case |url-status=live |archive-date=28 September 2011 |work=The Times of India |title=Swami Aseemanand 'confessed' under duress: Counsel|access-date=9 March 2013}}{{cite news|last=Staff Reporter|title=My arrest illegal: Aseemanand|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2237816.ece|work=The Hindu|date=18 July 2011|access-date=9 March 2013}}

There have also been allegations that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was responsible for the bombings.{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links_1463614 |title=US review finds five warnings of Headley's militant links — India — DNA |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013}} The United States and subsequently the United Nations Security Council added Arif Qasmani, a Pakistani national and LeT financier, to their sanction lists, stating that he had facilitated the bombings.{{cite web |title=ARIF QASMANI |url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/arif-qasmani |website=United Nations Security Council|quote=Qasmani has worked with LeT to facilitate terrorist attacks, including the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India, and the February 2007 Samjota Express bombing in Panipat, India.}}{{cite web |author=Samanta |first=Pranab Dhal |date=9 January 2011 |title=Curious case of Qasmani, who US, UN named in bombing |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/curious-case-of-qasmani-who-usun-named-in-bombing/735185/0 |access-date=9 March 2013 |work=The Indian Express |quote=In return for Qasmani's support, Al-Qaida provided him with operatives to support the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India, and the February 2007 Samjota Express bombing in Panipat, India. Qasmani also facilitated the movement of Al-Qaida personnel out of Afghanistan in 2001", states the UN's narrative summary justifying the action against Qasmani. The US justification is similar.}}{{cite web|author=Sachin Parashar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/LeT-trying-to-acquire-weapons-of-mass-destruction-with-help-from-Qaida/articleshow/8232717.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811144133/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/india/29531592_1_qaida-al-qaida-arif-qasmani |url-status=live |archive-date=11 August 2011 |work=The Times of India |title=LeT trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction with help from Qaida|date=11 May 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/samjhauta-express-blast-vs-mumbai-terror-attacks-3328.html |title=Samjhauta Express Blast Vs Mumbai Terror Attacks by Radhavinod Raju |publisher=Ipcs.org |access-date=9 March 2013}}

On 20 March 2019, Special NIA court acquitted all four accused. "The NIA Special Court has concluded that the investigating agency has failed to prove the conspiracy charge and ruled that accused deserve a benefit of doubt", NIA Counsel RK Handa said.{{cite web|url=http://theindependent.in/nia-fails-to-find-killers-of-68-samjhauta-express-passengers/|title=NIA fails to find killers of 68 Samjhauta Express passengers|website =TheIndependent.in|date=20 March 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/3/20/samjhauta-express-blast-case-court-acquits-four-accused|title=Samjhauta Express blast case: Court acquits four accused|website =aljazeera.com|date=20 March 2019 }}

= 2007 Ajmer Dargah attack =

The Ajmer Dargah blast occurred on 11 October 2007, outside the Dargah (shrine) of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, Rajasthan, allegedly by the Hindutva organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its groups.{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/what-is-the-ajmer-dargah-blast-case-4580300/|title=What is the Ajmer Dargah blast case?|date=24 March 2017}}{{cite news|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Co-conspirators-saw-RSS-man-as-ISI-mole/articleshow/7244756.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104110933/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-09/india/28361088_1_rss-leader-indresh-kumar-swami-aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar|url-status=live|archive-date=4 November 2012|title=Co-conspirators saw RSS man as ISI mole|newspaper=The Times of India|date=9 January 2011|access-date=14 January 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajmer-blast-case-two-rss-pracharaks-sentenced-life-imprisonment-4580944/|title=Ajmer blast case: Two 'RSS pracharaks' sentenced life imprisonment|date=20 August 2018}} On 22 October 2010, five accused perpetrators, of which four said to belong to the RSS, were arrested in connection with the blast.{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/four-of-five-ajmer-blast-accused-have-rss-links-ats/705648/|title=Four of five Ajmer blast accused have RSS links: ATS|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=1 November 2010|access-date=18 January 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1362808/india-jails-hindu-radicals-life-ajmer-sharif-shrine-blast/|title=India jails Hindu radicals for life over Ajmer Sharif shrine blast|date=22 March 2017}} Swami Aseemanand, in his confession, implicated the then General Secretary Mohan Bhagwat for ordering the terrorist strike.{{cite web|url=http://post.jagran.com/aseemanand-links-mohan-bhagwat-to-terror-attacks-report-1391682536|title=Aseemanand links Mohan Bhagwat to terror attacks: Report|date=6 February 2014|work=jagran.com}} Bhavesh Patel, another accused in the bombings, has corroborated these statements but later claimed that the Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and some other Congress leaders forced him to implicate the RSS leaders.{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ajmer-blast-accused-claims-shinde-forced-him-to-name-rss-chief-bhagwat/424426-3-239.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927121847/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ajmer-blast-accused-claims-shinde-forced-him-to-name-rss-chief-bhagwat/424426-3-239.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-27|title=Shinde forced me to name RSS chief: Ajmer blast accused|work=IBNLive}}

On 8 March 2017, a special National Investigation Agency court in Jaipur found guilty three accused, Bhavesh Patel, Devendra Gupta, and Sunil Joshi (who was murdered in 2007).{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2007-ajmer-blast-case-swami-aseemanand-among-two-acquitted-three-people-convicted/story-djXpxsy547RAVFTIphSTzN.html|title=2007 Ajmer blast case: Swami Aseemanand acquitted, three people convicted|work=Hindustan Times |date=8 March 2017}} Both Patel and Gupta were awarded life imprisonments and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Swami Aseemanand and 6 other accused were acquitted, giving them the "benefit of doubt".{{Cite news|date=2018-04-17|title=Acquitted in two cases, Aseemanand still faces Samjhauta case trial|language=en|work=The News Minute|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/acquitted-two-cases-aseemanand-still-faces-samjhauta-case-trial-79690|access-date=2020-07-14}}

= 2008 western India bombings =

On 29 September 2008, three bombs exploded in the States of Gujarat and Maharashtra killing 8 persons and injuring 80. During the investigation in Maharashtra, the Hindu extremist group Abhinav Bharat was found to be responsible for the blasts.{{sfn|Jaffrelot|2010|p=51}}{{refn|group=Note|Material seized during house arrests has shown that the Hindu militants who were responsible for this attack were all members of a new group, Abhinav Bharat, which resorted to violent action to resist the Islamists by emulating them.{{sfn|Jaffrelot|2010|p=51}}}} Three of the arrested persons were identified as Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur,{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/arrests-of-hindu-terrorists-embarasses-bjp/article1-347669.aspx |title=Arrests of 'Hindu terrorists' embarasses BJP |work=Hindustan Times |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105035105/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/arrests-of-hindu-terrorists-embarasses-bjp/article1-347669.aspx |archive-date=5 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sadhvi-in-jail-for-Malegaon-blast/articleshow/3637596.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104120056/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-25/india/27909361_1_maharashtra-s-anti-terrorism-squad-ats-abvp |url-status=live |archive-date=4 November 2012 |title=Sadhvi in jail for Malegaon blast|date=25 October 2008 |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 March 2013}} Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu. All three were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Nashik, which remanded them to custody till 3 November.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102561761400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026033900/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102561761400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2008 |title=Front Page : Malegaon blast; three remanded to custody |date=25 October 2008 |work=The Hindu |access-date=9 March 2013}} On 28 October, the Shiv Sena, came out in support of the accused saying that the arrests were merely political in nature. Lending credence to this, the party chief, Uddhav Thackeray, pointed out a potential conflict of interest in political rivalry as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) controlled the relevant ministry.{{cite web|agency=PTI |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sadhvi_Pragya_victim_of_race_within_cops_Shiv_Sena/rssarticleshow/3649064.cms |title=Real masterminds still at large, sadhvi Pragya a victim: Sena — Mumbai — City |work=The Times of India |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=9 March 2013}} NIA, National Investigation Agency, has found no evidence against Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and it has recommended the court to drop all charges against her.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sunil-joshi-murder-nia-set-to-drop-case-against-sadhvi-pragya-others-arrested-by-mp-police/1212272/ |title=NIA set to drop case against Sadhvi Pragya, others arrested by MP Police |date=27 December 2013 }}{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sadhvi-pragyas-freedom-now-depends-on-hc-ruling/articleshow/56945065.cms|title=Sadhvi Pragya's freedom now depends on HC ruling | India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=3 February 2017 }} following which the Bombay High Court granted bail to Pragya Thakur on 22 April 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/835892/why-blame-judiciary-for-granting-pragya-thakur-bail-when-investigative-agencies-show-no-spine|title=Why blame judiciary for granting Pragya Thakur bail when investigative agencies show no spine?|first=Jyoti|last=Punwani|website=Scroll.in|date=28 April 2017 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/sadhvi-pragya-singh-may-not-like-saffron-terror-but-that-doesn-t-mean-it-was-a-bogey-59246.html|title=Sadhvi Pragya Singh may not like saffron terror, but that doesn't mean it was a 'bogey'|website=CatchNews.com}}

The Army officer Prasad Shrikant Purohit was also accused of being involved in the blast.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/malegaon-blast-ats-says-purohit-main-conspi/413034/ |title=Malegaon blast: ATS says Purohit main conspirator |work=The Indian Express |date=20 January 2009 |access-date=9 March 2013}} His counsel alleged that he was being falsely framed for political reasons because he has intelligence data of a sensitive nature pertaining to the operations of Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, which could embarrass some quarters.{{cite news|author=Agencies |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/malegaon-probe--purohit-could-even-be-eliminated-by-ats-/387838/ |title=Malegaon probe: 'Purohit could even be eliminated by ATS' |newspaper=Express India |access-date=2014-11-17}}

Reportedly, the terms "Hindu terror" and "saffron terror" were used to describe this event in mainstream Indian media.{{Cite web |author=M. C. Joshi |title=Rip off 'secular' media's mask |newspaper=The Pioneer |date=24 November 2008 |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/136393/Rip-off-secular-medias-mask.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616100614/https://www.dailypioneer.com/136393/Rip-off-secular-medias-mask.html |archive-date=2011-06-16 }} In an analysis of the security situation during this period, B. Raman referred to acts of alleged reprisal terrorism by Hindus, criticizing "politicisation and communalisation of the investigative process" as leading to a "paralysis of the investigation machinery."{{Cite web |title=Why politicising the Malegaon case is dangerous |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-politicising-the-malegaon-case-is-dangerous-raman/20111117.htm |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Rediff |language=en}}

In the aftermath of the attacks, Rajnath Singh, the then president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP), spoke of a "political conspiracy" aimed at the "vilification of Hindu saints and army officers in the name of Hindu terrorism".{{cite news |author=Jug Suraiya |date=18 November 2008 |title=SUBVERSE |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/subverse/Unholy-terrors/articleshow/3729338.cms |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126145520/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-19/subverse/27941797_1_hindu-terror-hindu-terrorism-saffron-terror |archive-date=26 January 2013}}

Other incidents

Members of Abhinav Bharat have been alleged to have been involved in a plot to kill Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh President Mohan Bhagwat,{{cite news | author = Shibu Thomas, TNN | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Did-Abhinav-Bharat-plan-to-kill-RSS-chief/articleshow/6099750.cms | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110811080415/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-28/india/28315703_1_malegaon-blast-case-mohan-bhagwat-bhagwat-and-one | url-status = live | archive-date = 11 August 2011 | title = Did Abhinav Bharat plan to kill RSS chief? | date = 28 June 2010 | work = The Times of India | access-date = 10 October 2010}}{{cite news | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_abhinav-bharat-used-derogatory-words-against-rss-chief-rr-patil_1369157 | title = Abhinav Bharat used derogatory words against RSS chief: RR Patil | last = Gangan | first = Surendra | date = 9 April 2010 | access-date = 12 October 2010 | location = Mumbai}} Headlines Today released a recorded video tested by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory which indicated the uncovering of an alleged plot to assassinate the Vice President of India Hamid Ansari.{{cite news | url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/105546/India/saffron-brigades-terror-plots-exposed.html | title = Saffron brigade's terror plots exposed: India Today | last = Khetan | first = Ashsih | date = 15 July 2010 | access-date = 28 July 2010 | location = New Delhi}} Tehelka also released alleged audio tape transcripts of main conspirators of Abhinav Bharat, which indicated involvement of Military intelligence officers with the Abhinav Bharat group, in their January 2011 edition.{{cite web |url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne010111The_unturned.asp |title=The Unturned Stone |work=Tehelka |access-date=14 November 2012 |archive-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029013709/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne010111The_unturned.asp |url-status=dead }}

The Indian Home Secretary R. K. Singh said that at least 10 people having close links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliated organisations were named accused in various acts of terror across India.{{cite news|title=10 people wanted in blast cases had links with RSS|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/10-people-wanted-in-blast-cases-had-links-with-rss/article4332826.ece?homepage=true|access-date=22 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu}}

According to released documents by WikiLeaks, Congress(I) party's general secretary Rahul Gandhi remarked to US Ambassador Tim Roemer, at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister of India at his residence in July 2009, that the RSS was a "bigger threat" to India than the Lashkar-e-Taiba.{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-think-before-you-speak-rss-tells-rahul/20101221.htm |title=Think before you speak, RSS tells Rahul — Rediff.com News |work=Rediff.com |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=14 November 2012}} At The Annual Conference of Director Generals of Police held in New Delhi on 16 September 2011, a special director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) reportedly informed the state police chiefs that Hindutva activists have either been suspected or are under investigation in 16 incidents of bomb blasts in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=100893 |title=Hindutva activists behind 16 terror blasts in the country? |work=South Asia Mail|access-date=14 November 2012}}{{cite web|author=Anirban Bhaumik |location=New Delhi |agency=DHNS |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/192456/saffron-terror-role-being-probed.html |title='Saffron terror' role being probed |work=Deccan Herald |date=21 September 2011 |access-date=14 November 2012}}

Explanatory footnotes

References

=Citations=

External links

{{cite web |title=On we the people: Is saffron terror a misnomer or real threat |url=http://social.ndtv.com/wethepeople/permalink/20556 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055953/http://social.ndtv.com/wethepeople/permalink/20556 |archive-date=21 September 2013}}

terrorism

Category:Far-right politics in India

Category:Religious terrorism