BJP Accuses Congress of Manipulating Malegaon Blast Case to Push 'Saffron Terror' Narrative

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of manipulating the 2008 Malegaon blast case to promote the idea of 'saffron terror', allegedly to harm Sanatan dharma and appeal to its votebank. The contentious accusation stems from the recent claims made by former anti-terrorism squad officer, Mehiboob Mujawar, who asserted that he had been directed to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to establish this controversial angle.

During a press briefing at the BJP headquarters, MP and party spokesperson, Sambit Patra, emphasized that the Congress's attempts at creating a 'bhagwa atankwad' narrative failed spectacularly, as evidenced by the court's decision in Mumbai to acquit all accused in the Malegaon blast. Highlighting Mujawar's statement, Patra noted that high-ranking officials within the Maharashtra ATS and elements within the UPA government exerted pressure to make an unwarranted arrest of Bhagwat, who was not even named in the chargesheet.

Patra further accused the Congress of maintaining a vindictive attitude towards BJP supporters, Hindus, and prominent Sangh leaders, orchestrating a conspiracy that targeted an army officer, a sadhvi, and a saint among others. The BJP's rebuttal extends to comments made by former Maharashtra chief minister Pritviraj Chavan, whom they claim was directed by Congress leadership to use controversial terminology like 'Hindu fundamentalist'. The BJP views these actions as part of a larger strategy by Congress to malign Hindu symbolism, which ultimately failed with the court's latest verdict.

(With inputs from agencies.)