BJP has used Riots, Rapes and Murders as political tools - an article by AK Bhatia

 BJP has used Riots, Rapes and  Murders as political tools - an article by AK Bhatia 

॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰॰

I have worked on information available in the public domain and have found patterns of BJP tolerance, involvement, and incentives in communal crimes for political polarization. This is supported by additional verified details from diverse sources, including criticisms, defenses, and examples of rewards for accused/convicts, highlighting claims of electoral benefits through division alongside assertions of impartial action against violence. Each section includes timelines, key facts, outcomes, and visuals for context.

1. The Lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq (Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, 2015)

In September 2015, Mohammad Akhlaq, a 52-year-old Muslim man, was lynched by a mob in Dadri over rumors of storing beef in his home. His son was also severely injured. The incident sparked national outrage and debates on mob violence and communal tensions. 

Key Developments: Initially, 19 individuals were accused. A decade later, in November 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government (under BJP leadership) filed an application to withdraw all charges against the accused, citing various procedural grounds. This move has been criticized by Akhlaq’s family, who vow to continue fighting for justice, emphasizing the ongoing trauma and lack of closure. 

Broader Impact: The case is often cited in discussions on lynching laws, with the Supreme Court previously recommending separate offenses for such acts. Experts and media debates in 2025 have questioned the government’s intent, viewing it as a potential erosion of accountability in communal cases. 

2. The 2008 Malegaon Bomb Blast Case

On September 29, 2008, a bomb exploded in Malegaon, Maharashtra, killing six people (mostly Muslims) and injuring over 100 during Ramadan prayers. The case involved allegations of Hindu extremist involvement, with initial investigations pointing to groups like Abhinav Bharat.  “Court proceedings and accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, which resulted in acquittals after 17 years.”

Key Developments: All seven accused, including BJP leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, were acquitted in July 2025 by a special NIA court in Mumbai due to insufficient credible evidence. The court noted a lack of proof linking the accused to the explosives or conspiracy, despite the real impact of the blast.

Broader Impact: This verdict has reignited debates on investigation quality and conviction rates in terror cases, especially when compared to other blasts where over 190 people (mostly Muslims) lost lives in similar incidents. 

Critics, including political figures, have called for appeals, highlighting the 17-year trial’s failure to deliver justice for victims. 

3. Garlanding of Lynching Convicts by Union Minister Jayant Sinha (Ramgarh, Jharkhand, 2017-2018)

In June 2017, Alimuddin Ansari, a Muslim meat trader, was lynched by a mob in Ramgarh over suspicions of carrying beef. Eleven individuals were initially convicted by a fast-track court, with eight receiving life sentences (later reduced or bailed).  “Union Minister Jayant Sinha publicly garlanding convicts in the Ramgarh lynching case upon their release on bail.” 

Key Developments: In July 2018, upon their release on bail by the Jharkhand High Court, Union Minister Jayant Sinha (son of senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and a minister in the Modi government) publicly garlanded and felicitated eight of the convicts at his residence.  Sinha later expressed regret amid backlash but maintained the accused were “innocent” and that he had provided legal aid. 

Broader Impact: The act drew widespread condemnation from opposition parties and international media, with calls for Sinha’s resignation, viewing it as encouragement for mob violence and a disregard for the rule of law. 

4. Release and Felicitations of Convicts in the Bilkis Bano Case (Gujarat Riots, 2002)

During the 2002 Gujarat riots, Bilkis Bano, then pregnant, was gang-raped, and 14 of her family members (including her 3-year-old daughter) were murdered by a mob. Eleven men were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008. “Convicts in the Bilkis Bano case being welcomed with garlands and sweets upon their release under remission.” 

Key Developments: In August 2022, the Gujarat government (BJP-led) granted remission to all 11 convicts, leading to their early release. Upon release, they were welcomed with garlands, sweets, and hugs by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Hindu Mahasabha, organizations associated with the RSS-BJP ecosystem. A BJP MLA controversially described the convicts as “Brahmins with good sanskaar” (values). One convict later shared a stage with BJP lawmakers, provoking further outrage. 

Broader Impact: The decision, backed by a panel including BJP legislators, sparked outrage and legal challenges, symbolizing a shift in public discourse from demanding harsh punishments for rapists to leniency in certain cases. The Supreme Court quashed the remission in 2024, slamming the Gujarat government for acting “in tandem with convicts.” Opposition parties accused the BJP of “helping convicts” and demanded apologies. Internal BJP fault lines emerged over the decision. 

5. Patterns of Political Polarization, Tolerance, and Incentives in Communal Incidents

There is a clear pattern where the BJP as a party is not only tolerant of such heinous crimes but is happily involved in them, as they help polarize Hindus in favor of the BJP. Methods include ensuring culprits are not convicted by destroying evidence or presenting weak cases, making incarceration less painful through repeated paroles and remissions, and rewarding convicts with plum posts post-release as incentives. “Illustrations of communal riots and polarization trends in India under the BJP government, as documented in human rights reports.” 

Supporting Examples and Criticisms:

Rewards for Accused/Convicts: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, accused in the Malegaon blasts, was fielded as a BJP MP candidate in 2019 and won, despite ongoing charges (acquitted in 2025).  Maya Kodnani, convicted in the 2002 Gujarat riots (later acquitted on appeal), was a former BJP minister.  In the Bilkis Bano case, convicts received remissions and public welcomes by VHP members, with one sharing stages with BJP lawmakers. Critics highlight 134 BJP MLAs/MPs facing criminal charges, including violence.  Recent cases include inducting Palghar lynching accused into BJP, later suspended amid backlash. 

Evidence Handling and Bias: Biased probes in 2020 Delhi riots, where BJP leaders incited violence but investigations targeted opponents. In Gujarat riots, critics point to Modi’s handling and evidence issues. Patterns of pre-election riots or laws targeting Muslims for votes noted in states like Karnataka, UP, and West Bengal.

Polarization for Electoral Gain: Reports indicate communal clashes rose under BJP, with 113 registered cases and 962 conflicts in the first half of 2025, affecting 459,000 people. 64 Critics claim BJP exploits divisions for 3-8% extra votes, using riots, laws, or films before elections. 

Counterpoints and BJP Defenses: BJP denies bias, claiming no evidence against leaders like Modi in riots. It accuses opposition (e.g., Congress) of using anti-communal forces to suppress Hindus and highlights actions against violence, limiting Naxal issues to tribal areas. Party leaders argue communal violence is not a law-and-order issue alone and criticize opposition for politicizing it. 

Broader Impact: These patterns fuel debates on democratic decline, with calls for impartial probes and anti-lynching laws. Human rights groups note increased targeting of minorities and critics under anti-terror laws. However, BJP emphasizes development and action against violence. “Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, acquitted in the Malegaon case, during her tenure as a BJP MP.”

These cases collectively illustrate concerns over selective justice, political interference, and communal biases in India’s legal and political landscape.

It is pertinent that right minded, educated people who have given wholehearted support to Modi on his development agenda consider the direction in which the country is moving and see the duality of claims and deeds of bjp, and whether we want a liberal, modern, democratic India or a fascist, criminal, theocratic and regressive India.