‘Glorifying Terror’: BJP Protests Over 1998 Coimbatore Blast Convict’s Funeral, Police Detain Annamalai

Last Updated:December 20, 2024, 22:41 IST

The state government permitting the "funeral procession” of banned Al-Umma founder SA Basha days ago with police protection came in for flak from Hindu outfits.

The police detained BJP state unit president K Annamalai and leaders of Hindu outfits. (Image: X/ @annamalai_k)

The Tamil Nadu Police on Friday detained BJP state unit chief K Annamalai and other leaders of Hindu outfits after they held a “Black day procession" in Coimbatore to protest against what it called the “glorification of a terrorist."

The protest involved BJP workers and RSS-affiliated outfits, including the Hindu Munnani, carrying banners accusing the MK Stalin-led state government of supporting “Coimbatore bomb blast terrorists."

Why BJP is protesting?

The criticism came after the state government permitted the funeral procession of banned terror outfit Al-Umma’s founder SA Basha, who was sentenced to life for the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts, earlier this week. Basha died due to age-related illness while on parole.

Basha’s body was taken in procession from Siddique Ali’s residence in Ukkadam to Hyder Ali Tippu Sultan Sunnath Jamaath Masjid in Flower Market for the final rites. As per the reports, 2000 to 5000 Tamil Nadu police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed during the funeral.

The state government permitting the funeral procession came in for flak from Hindu outfits.

Annamalai in a post on X said, “We condemn the cowardly act of the DMK Government for arresting the leaders & cadres of @BJP4 TamilNadu for carrying out a rally condemning the glorification of a terrorist who was the reason for the loss of 58 lives in the peace-loving city of Coimbatore in 1998. The DMK Govt should understand that the cadres of @BJP4TamilNadu will never bow down to such autocracy & we will always be the voice of the people of TN."

BJP accused DMK of glorifying terror

The BJP accused the DMK-led state government of honouring individuals allegedly linked to the terror attack, a move that has sparked outrage among party members.

Addressing the protesters before his detention, Annamalai said, “This is a peace-loving city that suffered a devastating attack in 1998. To glorify a terrorist is an insult to the victims and their families. We demand accountability from the state government."

Coimbatore 1998 terror attack

The 1998 Coimbatore bombings were a series of coordinated attacks that claimed 58 lives and injured over 200 people. The blasts were orchestrated to disrupt an event attended by veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani.

Basha was found guilty by the court and was sentenced to life imprisonment along with 12 others in 2007. He was convicted for conspiring to acquire gelatine and other explosives.

(With inputs from agencies)

Coimbatore, India

News politics ‘Glorifying Terror’: BJP Protests Over 1998 Coimbatore Blast Convict’s Funeral, Police Detain Annamalai