The Congress party has once again ignited political tensions, this time with a term that is raising eyebrows and stirring sharp reactions—‘Sanatani terrorism’. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has drawn fire for using this phrase, especially in the wake of the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case by a special NIA court. The fresh controversy signals Congress’ continuing pattern of allegedly vilifying Hindus after the earlier ‘Bhagwa terror’ narrative fell flat.

Chavan Uses the Phrase ‘Sanatani Terror’ Despite Cultural Significance of Saffron

Following the court verdict that acquitted key figures like BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit, Chavan made a controversial statement that reignited communal debates. Although he dismissed the use of the phrase ‘saffron terror’, citing that saffron represents the revered heritage of Maharashtra and is associated with iconic figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sant Tukaram, and Sant Dnyaneshwar, he proposed even more provocative alternatives—‘Hindu terrorism’ or ‘Sanatani terrorism’.

He attempted to qualify his comment by saying he did not believe “terrorism had any religion”, but this explanation failed to ease the backlash. His wording has led to severe political criticism, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded sharply, stating: “Terrorism was never saffron and will never be.” He accused the Congress of trying to deliberately construct a false narrative to malign Hindus and appease minority vote banks. BJP leaders have since demanded a public apology from the Congress party to the Hindu community.

The Congress, however, tried to backpedal. Senior leader Digvijay Singh denied that the party ever created the term ‘Hindu terror’, insisting that “no religion supports violence.” But critics say this fits a recurring trend in Congress’ approach—where efforts to sound politically correct overshadow serious concerns about national security.

Adding further fuel to the fire, Chavan rebutted Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remark that “no Hindu can ever be a terrorist”. In a statement to PTI, Chavan remarked:
“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.”

Despite his assertion that terrorists have no religion, Chavan’s selective reference stirred up even more outrage. His attempt to draw parallels between Nathuram Godse and the concept of Hindu terrorism was seen by many as another step in Congress’ pattern of targeting the Hindu identity for political messaging.

The BJP and other right-wing organizations have long claimed that the term ‘bhagwa aatankwad’ or saffron terror was deliberately coined by the Congress to defame Hindus. Reiterating his stance, Chavan stated:
“A terrorist who kills innocent persons has no religion.”
On the same day, CM Devendra Fadnavis, while reacting to the Malegaon case verdict, said:
“Terrorism was never saffron and will never be.”

The special NIA court in Mumbai had acquitted all the accused, bringing a close to a decade-long controversial case. But the remarks that followed are being seen as a fresh attempt to revive a divisive narrative, one that continues to pit religious communities against each other for political mileage.

Malegaon Verdict Sparks Political Firestorm: BJP Celebrates Acquittal, Congress Defends Legacy, Owaisi Cries Foul

The shockwaves from the special NIA court’s acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case continue to reverberate across India’s political spectrum. What began as a court ruling has escalated into a full-blown ideological and political war, with prominent leaders from the BJP, Congress, AIMIM, and even the NCP voicing strong and emotional reactions.

“There is no such thing as Hindu terror,” says Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma offered a firm rebuttal to the earlier claims of Hindu-linked terrorism. He stated clearly: “The verdict proves there is no such thing as Hindu terror. No Hindu by philosophy can be a terrorist.” Sarma’s words reflected a broader mood within the BJP camp, which has been vocal in celebrating the verdict as vindication of their long-held position.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde took it even further, calling the court’s decision “a slap on the face of those who called it saffron terror.” Shinde went on to accuse Congress of launching a conspiracy aimed at maligning the image of Hindutva, adding, “Innocent people were jailed for 17 years.”

At a press conference, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad directly blamed the Congress party, stating:
“The entire case was a Congress conspiracy to spread the Hindu terror theory. Colonel Purohit fought against terrorists in Kashmir, and he was framed. Sadhvi Pragya couldn’t even walk after the torture she suffered. This was all for vote-bank politics.”

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das echoed the same sentiment on X (formerly Twitter), calling the verdict a “slap on the Congress’s misdeeds,” and adding, “The Congress and its allies must answer for defaming Hindus and causing immense harassment to innocent people.”

Amit Shah’s statement echoed across the party

Referencing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey declared:
“A Hindu cannot be a terrorist. All terrorists in this country have only one religion. Congress polluted the discourse with 'Saffron Terrorism'. Now it's clear, the real culprits were never caught because the focus was on blaming Indians instead of Pakistani terrorists.”

BJP National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi didn’t mince words either, stating:
“The term ‘Hindu terror’ was coined with political motives. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress ecosystem owe an explanation for maligning an entire faith.”

Shehzad Poonawalla, another BJP spokesperson, called out Congress for allegedly orchestrating a “campaign of lies.” He posted on X:
“This verdict is not just a legal outcome, it’s a political and moral victory against those who used Malegaon to vilify nationalists. Congress should tender an unconditional apology.”

BJP MLA and Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane went a dramatic step further:
“Those who coined the term saffron terror must apologise with folded hands and rub their noses at the feet of the acquitted individuals, who lost 17 years of their lives.”

Interestingly, NCP MP Praful Patel distanced himself from the controversial narrative. He clarified:
“‘Bhagwa Atankwad’ is not a word. It was used only during the Congress era and was politically motivated. We must all respect the judiciary’s verdict.”

Emotions run high: Uma Bharti breaks down

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti was visibly emotional while recalling the trauma endured by Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur during her incarceration. In a heart-wrenching statement to ANI, she said:
"When she was in Nashik jail, a police officer told me how she was tortured. I met her when no one else did. I cried. What she went through, no woman should ever face.”
Bharti then directly accused Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Digvijay Singh, and Rahul Gandhi, along with figures from the Left and Samajwadi Party, for inventing and spreading the term “Bhagwa terror.” She demanded:
“I want to ask what punishment they deserve for pushing this narrative? Extraordinary action must be taken against them.”

Hashtags flood social media, AIMIM raises questions

Social media was abuzz with hashtags like #SaffronTerrorLies and #MalegaonVerdict, with supporters celebrating the verdict as a win for BJP and Hindu nationalists.

However, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi took a starkly different stand. He criticized the acquittal, suggesting that the investigation had been deliberately weakened. In his post on X, he said:
“Six namazis were killed and nearly 100 were injured. They were targeted for their religion.”
Owaisi demanded that the state government clarify whether it would appeal the verdict, similar to what was done in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. He also raised questions about former prosecutor Rohini Salian, alleging she was told to “go soft” on the case, and asked:
“Will NIA/ATS officers be held accountable for their faulty investigation?”

Congress defends its role, denies any anti-Hindu motive

In defense, Congress leader Digvijay Singh tried to shift the conversation, saying:
“Neither can a Hindu be a terrorist, nor a Muslim, Sikh or Christian.”
He denied the Congress coined the term "Hindu terror", claiming BJP was unfairly targeting the party.

Former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan, already at the center of the storm, weighed in once more. He placed the blame squarely on government agencies, stating:
“If the case was fake, the governments since 2014 should have reinvestigated or dropped it. Someone has killed innocent people. It’s the government’s duty to find out who.”
Chavan noted that the original chargesheet was filed by the Maharashtra ATS, but the NIA took over in 2011, asserting that,
“The Congress or victims’ families are not responsible for providing evidence. That’s the job of the state and Centre.”

Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also defended the party’s legacy, stating:
“When did we ever let terrorists go? The Congress laid down its lives for the unity and integrity of the country.”

Accused speak out, victims want justice

Shyam Sahu, one of the accused who was discharged earlier in 2017, shared his painful experience, stating:
“While I was in jail, my brother died of a heart attack during a hearing. My family can never be compensated for that loss.”
He said he now feels that justice has finally been served.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for the victims' families expressed his disappointment with the verdict and announced plans to appeal:
“Six people died and over 100 were injured. If these people are not guilty, then who is?”

Court explains its reasoning

Judge A.K. Lahoti, who presided over the case, noted in the verdict that while the prosecution proved a blast had occurred, it had failed to prove the involvement of the accused. The judge stated:
“Terrorism has no religion, but conviction cannot be based on moral grounds.”
With this, the accused were acquitted of charges under the UAPA, IPC, and Arms Act, bringing to a close a case that spanned more than a decade but left behind a trail of bitterness, questions, and political rancour.

How Congress Crafted the False Narrative of ‘Saffron Terror’

The controversy over the term "saffron terror" is not new, but its political roots run deep. The Congress party has long been accused of deliberately constructing this narrative as part of its vote-bank strategy, aiming to discredit the entire Hindu community for short-term electoral gains. According to critics, the strategy wasn't just a political ploy — it was an insidious attempt to vilify Hindus while covering up the lapses and failures of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

“Congress tried its best to create the ‘saffron terror’ myth. It had raised the red herring of ‘saffron terror’ for their votebank politics discrediting the entire community. It was not just a blatant lie but also an attempt to malign Hindus to hide the inefficiencies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.”

This aggressive narrative, many believe, was also an effort to distract public attention from the rising threat of Islamic terrorism. To equate extremist violence with Hindu symbols was seen as a move to blur the lines and whitewash the real perpetrators of terror.

In one of the most shocking instances of narrative manipulation, Sharad Pawar allegedly fabricated an extra bomb blast during the aftermath of a terror attack to “maintain peace” and suppress Hindu outrage — a move many saw as giving terrorists a clean chit.

“The ‘saffron terror’ red herring was Congress’ way of whitewashing Islamic terrorism just like Sharad Pawar did by inventing an extra bomb blast to give the terrorists a clean chit, although he claimed he did so to ensure ‘peace’ and water down the anger of Hindus.”

The narrative almost succeeded when even the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks were painted as a possible “RSS ki Saazish” (RSS conspiracy). That plot came crashing down only because Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani terrorist, was caught alive, exposing the truth behind the attack and foiling what many now believe was an orchestrated plan by the UPA.

“One cannot forget how the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government attempted to present the 26/11 terror attack as ‘RSS ki Saazish‘ (an RSS conspiracy). Unfortunately for UPA, Kasab was caught alive, and their plans fell apart.”

The strategy of projecting "saffron terrorism" not only enabled the whitewashing of Islamic radicalism but also led to the gaslighting and brutalisation of innocent Hindus. Prominent among the victims were Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Colonel Prasad Purohit, both of whom were allegedly subjected to horrific torture, just so the Congress could advance a political narrative.

“Saffron terrorism’ bogey was created not just to give Islamic terrorism a free run but also to gaslight Hindus. Sadhvi Pragya and Col Purohit were subject to the most inhuman torture just because Congress had a political point to score.”

And it didn’t stop there. Attempts were allegedly made to target other individuals and organizations associated with the Sangh Parivar, including the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, and BJP.

“Not just Sadhvi Pragya and Colonel Purohit but there was a failed attempt to frame other leaders of the Sangh Parivar (RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, and BJP).”

In his revealing book The Myth of Hindu Terror: Insider Account of Ministry of Home Affairs, former Home Secretary RVS Mani provides an insider's perspective. He alleges that the Congress government constructed the saffron terror narrative to serve political ends and shield its ideological sympathizers in Pakistan.

“Former Home Secretary RVS Mani in his book The Myth of Hindu Terror: Insider Account of Ministry of Home Affairs has detailed how Congress created the myth of ‘Saffron terror’ or ‘Hindu terror’ for its political agenda and to shield its terrorist masters in Pakistan.”

Who Is a Sanatani and What Do They Represent?

At the heart of the current debate lies a deeper misunderstanding — or perhaps intentional distortion — of what Sanatan Dharma truly stands for. To label it with terror is not just intellectually dishonest, but also culturally blasphemous.

“Sanatani is just another term for a Hindu and is derived from Sanatan Dharma which is another term for the eternal and universal principles of Hindu Dharma.”

A Sanatani is someone who walks the path of Hindu values — compassion, spiritual discipline, and self-realization. Rooted in Vedic teachings, they believe in the laws of karma and rebirth, striving ultimately for Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of life and death.

“A Sanatani is one who believes in Hindu values such as compassion, self-discipline, and spiritual growth among other things. Sanatanis follow Vedic teachings, have deep faith in the Hindu laws of Karma and rebirth, and their ultimate goal is Moksha.”

In practice, Sanatanis respect all forms of divinity, as described in the Puranas and other Hindu scriptures. Their rituals and festivals reflect harmony with nature and are passed down through generations as sacred traditions. Sanatan Dharma is unique because it encourages personal spiritual experience, rejects rigidity, and celebrates the oneness of existence.

“In the material world, they respect divinity in all its forms (as mentioned in the Puranas & other Hindu Granthas), and observe rituals, festivals, and practices that have been passed down for generations. Unlike rigid religious dogmas, Sanatan Dharma emphasizes personal spiritual experience, inner purification, and harmony with nature and society. Therefore, being Sanatani means living in harmony with nature and serving the society selflessly.”

Unfortunately, these noble ideals are often misunderstood or deliberately mocked by certain political alliances like the Congress and its INDI bloc partners. Their usage of terms like ‘Sanatani terror’ and ‘Eradicate Sanatan Dharma’ shows an alarming disregard for the civilizational legacy of Bharat.

“Such concepts are beyond the grasp of Congress and its INDI alliance partners who have found a new way to slander Hindus by using terms such as ‘Eradicate Sanatan Dharma,’ ‘Sanatani terror’ etc.”

Prithviraj Chavan, who recently used the term ‘Sanatani terror’, seems to have forgotten that Sanatan Dharma, Hindu Dharma, and Hindutva are not separate entities. They are different expressions of one eternal culture, defended by warriors like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and preached by saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.

“Chavan would do well that there is no difference between the terms Sanatani, Hindu, Hindu Dharma, and Hindutva. These are only different names for the Dharma defended by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and propagated by Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.”

Despite the Congress party’s continued attempts to divert attention from the truth, the pattern of contempt towards the Hindu Samaj becomes more and more evident with every new episode.

“No matter how hard Congress tries to deflect the issue, their contempt and hate for Hindu Samaj is evident.”