5

May

Trial of Pragya Singh Thakur: A Reckoning for Saffron Terror

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Dr. Saleem Khan

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Mumbai | Monday | 5 May 2025

Despite the BJP governments in New Delhi and Mumbai, the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) push for the death penalty for Pragya Singh Thakur and six others in the Malegaon bomb blast case is nothing short of remarkable. It’s not just a legal demand—it marks the collapse of a carefully constructed false narrative and honours the legacy of late ATS chief Hemant Karkare, whose integrity reshaped the national conversation on terrorism.

For years, India’s intelligence machinery largely portrayed terrorism as an Islamic phenomenon. This view, exploited for political gain, vilified entire communities. Officers like Karkare challenged this with courage. His investigation exposed the involvement of Hindu extremists in multiple attacks: Samjhauta Express, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Mecca Masjid, and Malegaon. Karkare revived attention to the defunct group Abhinav Bharat—founded by Savarkar—and revealed its RSS links, leading many to suspect that his death during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks wasn’t merely incidental.

Karkare’s family, too, faced manipulation. When Narendra Modi offered ₹2 crore to his widow Kavita Karkare from the public exchequer, she rejected the gesture outright, refusing to meet him. Her dignified defiance halted what many saw as a cynical attempt to rewrite Karkare’s legacy.

Even questioning the circumstances of Karkare’s death had consequences. Maharashtra CM A.R. Antulay was forced to resign for merely asking who sent Karkare down the alley where he was ambushed. Meanwhile, key accused in the Samjhauta case were eliminated, erasing crucial links to the larger terror network.

Article at a Glance
The National Investigation Agency's (NIA) recent push for the death penalty for Pragya Singh Thakur and six others in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case marks a significant shift in India's narrative on terrorism, challenging the long-held view that it is solely an Islamic issue. This change honors the legacy of late ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who exposed Hindu extremist involvement in various attacks, including Malegaon. Despite political pressures, the NIA has now presented strong evidence against the accused, including Thakur, who has previously made controversial statements and faced declining political fortunes. The case highlights Karkare's role in exonerating falsely accused Muslims and shifting the narrative on terrorism. As the trial progresses, it reflects broader power dynamics within the BJP and RSS, suggesting that even prominent figures may face scrutiny. Ultimately, the case underscores the collapse of the myth that "Hindu terror is impossible," revealing the complexities of faith and politics in India.

 

Among the accused, Pragya Singh Thakur remains the most visible face. Despite calling Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s assassin, a patriot, and claiming that Karkare died due to her curse, she was granted bail, given a BJP ticket, and elected MP from Bhopal. Prime Minister Modi, when questioned, offered only symbolic disapproval—no real action followed. She was even appointed to the Parliamentary Defense Committee.

Pragya continued promoting fringe conspiracies, including “love jihad.” In one ironic episode, she took a girl to see The Kerala Story to warn against Muslim men—only for the girl to later elope with a Muslim partner. Slowly, Pragya’s political fortunes declined. Her health-based bail was publicly mocked when videos surfaced of her dancing and playing football. A non-bailable warrant last year signaled BJP’s distancing, and she was denied a ticket in the 2024 election.

Now, the NIA has pivoted. It recently asked the Mumbai special court to sentence all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts to death under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The agency claims Pragya played a critical role, from providing her motorcycle to celebrating the attack’s success. An audio recording allegedly captures her lamenting that not more people were killed.

Other key accused include former Army officers and self-proclaimed godmen: Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Colonel Prasad Purohit, Dayanand Pandey, and others. The NIA cited Section 16 of the UAPA—used in the Ajmal Kasab case—to seek the death penalty. Prosecutor Avinash Rasal submitted over 1,800 pages of arguments and legal precedents. Despite 34 of 323 witnesses turning hostile, the case has held strong.

This 17-year saga highlights Karkare’s pivotal role. Before his probe, over 100 Muslims, many linked to SIMI, were falsely arrested for the Malegaon blast. Few questioned why Muslims would bomb a Muslim locality. Karkare’s findings flipped the narrative and exonerated the innocents. The case was later handed to the NIA in 2011.

However, political winds shifted after Modi came to power. In 2016, the NIA tried to clear Pragya and three others, citing insufficient evidence. The court disagreed, dropping charges only against the latter three. In a dramatic turnaround, the same NIA is now pushing for Pragya’s execution, citing strong evidence.

Former prosecutor Rohini Salian had earlier accused the NIA of going soft on Pragya. Had the court accepted the 2016 stance, she might’ve retained her seat—or been elevated in the government. Instead, the trial continued, marking the beginning of her downfall.

With the verdict expected on May 8, speculation is rife. Lower courts often align with political pressures, and many see this as part of a broader power struggle between Modi and the RSS leadership, particularly Mohan Bhagwat. Theories abound that Pragya is being used as a pawn in this conflict—a warning that even top Sangh leaders could be exposed if they challenge Modi’s authority.

The Samjhauta case file still contains evidence linking RSS leadership, including Bhagwat. If needed, that file could be reopened. The outcome of the Malegaon trial may serve as leverage in this silent war within the right wing.

Ultimately, regardless of verdicts or appeals, one thing is clear: the myth of “Hindu terror being impossible” has collapsed. Thanks to Karkare and those who carried forward his work, saffron terror has been exposed and documented. The ghosts of these cases will continue to haunt Indian politics—and remind future generations of the cost of weaponizing faith for power.

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