Mahadangal: 17 Years On, Malgaon Blast Verdict Sparks Political Firestorm Over 'Saffron Terror' Narrative

Seventeen years after the devastating 2008 Malegaon blast that claimed six lives and injured over a hundred during the holy month of Ramadan, a special court has acquitted all accused, reigniting a fierce political debate in India. The BJP has intensified its demand for an apology from the Congress, accusing it of coining the term "saffron terror" to defame the Hindu community for political gain. Senior Congress leaders like Digvijaya Singh, and former Home Ministers P. Chidambaram and Sushil Kumar Shinde, had earlier suggested the involvement of Hindu extremists—a claim that was never proven in court. Recently, two key verdicts have dismissed charges against accused individuals, raising serious questions about the initial investigation and the credibility of the probe agencies. BJP leaders allege the UPA government created a false terror narrative to appease a particular vote bank, calling it a "political conspiracy." Victims’ families, meanwhile, are left grappling with the verdict and wondering if justice will ever be served. With military-grade RDX reportedly used in the blasts, the source of the explosives remains unclear. This verdict has not only reopened wounds but has also exposed deep political and communal fault lines.

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