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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sena protests against Prithviraj Chavan for advocating term ‘Sanatani terrorism'
MUMBAI: Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan found himself in the crosshairs of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after he used the term 'Sanatani terrorism' while discussing the NIA court's acquittal of all the accused in the Malegaon blasts case. The former Maharashtra chief minister's contention was that the word 'saffron terror', which is often used to describe right-wing violence, was wrong since 'saffron' was a sacred word. He suggested that people use 'Hindu terror' or 'Sanatani terrorism' instead. Mumbai, India - Aug. 2, 2025: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde Faction) party worker protested against Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan for his controversial statements referring to "Hindu terrorism" and "Sanatan terrorism" at Dadar W, in Mumbai, India, on Saturday, August 2, 2025. (Photo by HT Photo/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) Chavan's pronouncement sparked protests by the Shiv Sena in Mumbai and Thane. In Mumbai, one such stir was held in Parel, where Shiv Sena activists tried to barge into the Congress headquarters at Tilak Bhavan. The police stopped them a few metres away, and this led to heated arguments between the two. Most of the protesters were women leaders and activists, who said they wanted an apology from Chavan and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Rahul Gandhi for 'insulting the Hindu religion'. A statement released by the Shiv Sena said that the Congress' 'narrative' of 'Hindu terrorism' had received a 'major blow' after the NIA court acquitted all seven Hindu accused in the Malegaon bomb blasts case. 'Despite this, leaders like Prithviraj Chavan continue to use terms like 'Sanatan terrorism' and 'Hindu terrorism', which is an insult to Hindus,' read the statement. 'The Shiv Sena condemns these remarks. It also criticises the Congress ideology of appeasement. By using the terms 'Hindu terrorism' and 'saffron terror', leaders like Sushilkumar Shinde, Prithviraj Chavan, Digvijay Singh, P Chidambaram and Rahul Gandhi are defaming Hindus.' Chavan had explained his stance in an interview to a news channel. 'For us 'bhagwa' (saffron) is a holy word,' he said while referring to the Malegaon verdict. 'It is a symbol of the struggle for independence. It was also the colour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's flag. Instead of using 'saffron terrorism', terms such as Hindu terrorism, Hindu fundamentalism or Sanatani terrorism should be used.' The former CM also declared that the 'country's first terrorist' was Nathuram Godse. 'The first terror act of terror in independent India was conducted by Nathuram Godse. He assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. Which religion did he belong to—or did he change his religion after killing Gandhi?' remarked 79-year Chavan sardonically. In response, Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde, who was in Thane, declared that all Hindus were good people. 'Chavan's remarks are condemnable, as Hindus or Sanatanis never do injustice with anyone,' he told reporters. 'Hindus are tolerant. Chavan has insulted the Hindu and Sanatan religion and he will have to pay the price for it.'
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
My statement on terrorism and religion deliberately misinterpreted: Prithviraj Chavan
'Everyone has the right to protest, but the real issue must be understood. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a central agency. The probe into the 2008 blast case has been ongoing since 2014. The court has ruled there was a blast, but did not identify the perpetrators due to lack of sufficient evidence,' he said. Chavan was speaking at a press conference after the Shiv Sena earlier in the day protested against his comments after the seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case were acquitted by a Mumbai court two days ago. Karad, Aug 2 (PTI) Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Saturday said his recent remark that 'terrorism has no caste, religion or colour' was deliberately misinterpreted for political gain. His statement was distorted to divert attention from core issues and create a political controversy, Chavan said. 'My words were twisted. I had said terrorism knows no religion, yet it was used to play politics,' he added. Chavan also questioned the government's failure to bring the culprits of the 2008 Malegaon blast to justice, stating, 'This was a serious terror act. Innocent lives were lost. If there is concrete evidence, punishment should be delivered. If not, why is the system failing to deliver justice?' The case, initially probed by the Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra Police, was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency, he said. 'Despite years of investigation, the real perpetrators remain unidentified. There is a need to investigate whether political pressure influenced the probe,' he said. Criticising the BJP-led state government, Chavan said, 'Industrial investment is declining in Maharashtra. In Beed, an extortion-related murder occurred over failure to pay Rs 2 crore. Even in Pune, industries are facing extortion threats.' He further claimed that extortion activities were flourishing under political patronage. 'Only the Chief Minister and Deputy CM can effectively act against such elements. No gangster can operate fearlessly without political backing,' he said. In his reaction to the judgement in the Malegaon blast case on Thursday, Chavan had said he was against the use of the term 'saffron terror' as saffron is the colour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's flag and Warkari sect. While the BJP and several right-wing outfits latched on to the verdict to slam the Congress for allegedly coining the term 'bhagwa aatankwad' or saffron terror, Chavan had asserted that 'a terrorist who kills innocent persons has no religion'. On the use of the 'Hindu terror' term with regard to the Malegaon blast and the ensuing trial, Chavan had asked which religion the accused belonged to. 'The first act of terror was the murder of Mahatma Gandhi. Which religion did (the Mahatma's assassin) Nathuram Godse belong to,' the senior Congress leader had questioned. PTI MR KRK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress shouldn't allow BJP to usurp saffron colour, says Prithviraj Chavan amid ‘saffron terror' charges
Appealing to his own party leaders to not term terror as 'saffron terror', former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan on Friday (August 1, 2025) said that the Congress should not let the BJP usurp saffron colour. '14 Crore Maharashtrians revere saffron, not because of BJP, but because of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,' he told The Hindu. Hitting back at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said there never was any Hindutva or saffron terror, he asked, 'Who was Nathuram Godse then? Who killed Comrade Pansare or Narendra Dabholkar? While terror has no colour, acts of terror need to be recognised. What is the colour of terror in Manipur?' He said that the current government had failed to give justice to the victims of terror attacks. 'There have been acquittals in the 7/11 train blasts and in Malegaon blast. What will you tell the victims? Who did it? Someone has to be accountable. The government should go in appeal against both the orders. Where is justice otherwise?' he asked. Mr Chavan said that as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra before 2014, he had sent a proposal to the Centre to ban Sanatan Sanstha under the stringent UAPA. ATS policeman's statement questioned He questioned the timing and the content of a former policeman of Maharashtra Police who has claimed that he was asked to arrest Mohan Bhagwat after the Malegaon blasts. 'How can you trust a former inspector? Can an inspector be privy to such high level discussions? What is the basis of his statement? Also, this is not the first time he has said it. When Fadnavis became the CM in 2014, why didn't he say anything about it?' he asked, calling the timing of the statement conspicuous.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Malegaon blast case: Ex-Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan's remark on 'Sanatan terror' sparks row; calls for using ‘Hindu terrorism' instead
Prithviraj Chavan (left), and Pragya Thakur NEW DELHI: Former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday said he does not support the use of the term "saffron terror." He said saffron is the colour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's flag, the Warkari sect, as well as Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar. Chavan was speaking after a special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case . The court observed that there was "no reliable and cogent evidence" against them. The verdict came 17 years after an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon, around 200 km from Mumbai, on September 29, 2008, killing six people and injuring 101 others. On the phrase 'saffron terror', Chavan said, "Don't use the term 'Saffron terrorism'. If you want to describe such acts, use 'Hindu fundamentalist' or 'Hindu terrorism' instead." Responding to Union home minister Amit Shah's comment that "no Hindu can ever be a terrorist," Chavan, while talking to news agency PTI, said, "I want to remind Amit Shah that the first terrorist incident in independent India was carried out by Nathuram Godse. Which religion did he belong to? Terrorism has no religion. This is the BJP's mindset to connect terrorism with religion." The BJP and several right-wing organisations have criticised the Congress over the years for allegedly coining the term "bhagwa aatankwad" or saffron terror. Chavan said, "A terrorist who kills innocent persons has no religion." Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had also commented on the Malegaon verdict on Thursday. He said, "Terrorism was never saffron and will never be." The special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all the seven accused in the case, including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Hindu Terror, Not Saffron': Chavan's Remark On Malegaon Verdict Draws 'Lame Horse' Dig From BJP
In a political bombshell, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan reacted to the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast by reigniting the controversial debate around "Hindu terror" and "saffron terror." 'If not saffron, call it Hindu or Sanatani terror,' Chavan said, before clarifying that terrorism has no religion. But his choice of words has ignited a nationwide storm. Chavan accused the BJP-led government and the NIA of weakening the case, asking bluntly, 'If those acquitted didn't do it, then who planted the bomb?' His remarks have given fresh ammunition to both allies and adversaries. The BJP hit back, mocking Chavan #prithvirajchavan #malegaonblastverdict #2008malegaoncase #saffronterrordebate #niainvestigation #hinduterrorism #bjpcongressfaceoff #politicalcontroversy #maharashtrapolitics #malegaonacquittal #rahulgandhi #bjpvscongress #terrorismprobeindia #sanataniterror #indianjudiciary #malegaonbombingcase #indianpoliticsdebate #hindumuslimpolitics #communalpoliticsindia #bjpcriticism #congressresponse #dineshsharmabjp #malegaoncaseupa #breakingnews #trending #bharat #toi #toibharat #indianews
