'Terrorism can never be saffron': Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis hails Malegaon blast case verdict; Eknath Shinde says 'Congress coined term'
Maharashtra chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis
and deputy CM
Eknath Shinde
on Thursday welcomed the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, saying the verdict vindicates those who were wrongly targeted and erases the "false stigma" against the Hindu community.
In a one-line post on X, Fadnavis wrote in Hindi: 'Terrorism was never saffron, is not, and will never be!'
Shinde, in a strongly worded statement, accused Congress leaders of coining the term 'Hindu terrorism' to malign patriots.
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'After a long battle of seventeen years, a special court has acquitted seven alleged accused in the Malegaon bomb blast case. It is true that justice was delayed, but it has once again been proven that truth is never defeated,' Shinde posted on X.
'From the very beginning, Shiv Sena has unequivocally supported the patriots who were falsely accused and imprisoned in the Malegaon blast case. This is because Shiv Sena never had any doubt that their cause was just. Colonel Purohit, Sadhvi Pragya, and the other seven individuals had to endure immense mental and physical torment due to these accusations. The Hindu community will never forget this injustice," he added further.
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In a further attack on the Congress, Shinde said, 'Hindus can never engage in anti-national activities, because patriotism is a sacred duty for those who follow Hinduism. The absurd term 'Hindu terrorism' was coined by conspiratorial Congress leaders. What answer do they have now for such blatant falsehoods? A dark chapter has ended today. The stigma on the Hindu community has been wiped away. The slogan 'Say with pride, we are Hindus' will now resonate across the country with a hundredfold louder voice, there is no doubt about it.
Truth may be troubled, but it is never defeated! Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra.'\
All seven acquitted
Earlier in the day, a Special NIA Court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, citing lack of 'cogent and reliable' evidence.
The blast, which occurred near a mosque in the Nashik district town on September 29, 2008, killed six people and injured over 100.
All the accused, including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, were out on bail during the trial.
The court also directed that the families of those killed be compensated with Rs 2 lakh each, and injured victims receive Rs 50,000.
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