Maharashtra CM Criticizes UPA for 'Hindu Terrorism' Claims After Malegaon Blast Verdict
In the wake of the acquittal of all accused in the Malegaon blast case, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused the Congress-led UPA government of attempting to propagate the concept of 'Hindu terrorism.' His comments follow statements from former ATS officer Mahboob Mujawar, who revealed that he was instructed to implicate RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during the investigation. Fadnavis emphasized that the conspiracy has been unveiled, highlighting the political motivations behind the terminology used at the time. Mujawar's allegations further suggest that he faced repercussions for refusing to comply with illegal orders during the investigation.
| Aug 1, 2025, 14:51 IST
Maharashtra CM's Response to Malegaon Blast Acquittals
Following the acquittal of all seven defendants in the Malegaon blast case, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Congress-led UPA government of attempting to promote the narrative of 'Hindu terrorism.' He alleged that officials at the time sought to implicate Hindu religious leaders and organizations. This statement comes in light of remarks made by former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer Mahboob Mujawar, who indicated that statements regarding RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat or the investigation were made under the orders of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.
Fadnavis asserted that the conspiracy from 2008 has now been exposed. He claimed that the government back then coined terms like 'Hindu terrorism' and 'saffron terrorism' for political gain. While significant terrorist incidents were occurring globally, 'Islamic terrorism' was a hot topic of discussion. He emphasized that to avoid alienating their voter base and to maintain a facade of balance, they propagated the myth of 'Hindu terrorism' and arrested individuals without any substantial evidence. He noted that the layers of this conspiracy are gradually being revealed.
Mahboob Mujawar stated that he was allegedly instructed to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. As a member of the ATS investigating the 2008 Malegaon blast, Mujawar shared his comments with the media following the NIA court's decision to acquit all accused in the case.
In a media interaction, Mujawar revealed that his superiors, including Param Bir Singh, had ordered him to bring Bhagwat in. At that time, the concept of 'saffron terrorism' was prevalent in the media. He maintained that he did not engage in any wrongdoing, yet faced punishment, was imprisoned, and was defamed. Mujawar claimed he provided all evidence he had to the court and further alleged that the verdict exposed a 'fabricated investigation' conducted by a rogue officer. He asserted that the investigating officer falsely implicated him for refusing to comply with illegal orders.