‘No faith advocates violence’: Digvijay Singh reacts after 2008 Malegaon blast verdict acquits all 7 accused

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Thursday said terrorism should not be associated with any religion, hours after a special NIA court acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, citing lack of "cogent and reliable" evidence.Among those acquitted were Lt Col Prasad Purohit and BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. The blast near a mosque in Malegaon, Maharashtra, had killed six people and injured over 100.Speaking to PTI in Parliament complex, Singh said, “Neither can a Hindu be a terrorist, nor a Muslim, Sikh or Christian. Every religion is an embodiment of love, goodwill, truth, and non-violence.”Responding to BJP’s repeated allegation that he coined the term "saffron terrorism," Singh said, “The BJP is absolutely wrong in saying that the term ‘Hindu terror’ was coined by the Congress.”He added, “Extremists are individuals who distort religion to spread hatred. No faith advocates violence.”The Malegaon blast case had become a political flashpoint over the years, with allegations that the term “saffron terror” was used to target Hindutva ideology. The NIA court said the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.