Controversy Flares as Malegaon Blast Accused Acquitted: Political Fallout and Reactions

The acquittal of all suspects in the 2008 Malegaon blast case has sparked a political uproar in Maharashtra, as key political figures expressed sharply divided reactions. The ruling BJP celebrated the verdict, highlighting its stance against the notion of 'Hindu terrorism', while the opposition Congress condemned the current administration's indifference to the victims' plight.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde applauded the decision, viewing it as a correction of an unfairly imposed stigma on the Hindu community. They criticized the Congress for coining the term 'Hindu terrorism,' branding it as a baseless and harmful narrative.

Conversely, Congress leaders, including State Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal, blasted the government for failing to secure justice for the victims. They raised concerns about the fairness of the trial, questioning the intentions behind political interventions and inducements allegedly made during the investigation.

(With inputs from agencies.)