Jitendra Awhad’s Remarks on Sanatan Dharma Stir Political Firestorm After Malegaon Blast Acquittals

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad has triggered a major political controversy by declaring that Sanatan Dharma has “ruined India,” just a day after the special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. His comments, laced with historical references and sharp criticism, have reignited the polarised debate surrounding the term “saffron terror” and its socio-political implications.

Speaking to the media following the court verdict, Awhad launched a scathing attack on the concept of Sanatan Dharma, alleging that it is not part of India’s true religious fabric. “Sanatan Dharma has ruined India. There was never any religion called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hindu Dharma,” Awhad said.

Expanding on his argument, the NCP-SCP leader cited multiple historical episodes to support his claim. “It was this so-called Sanatan Dharma that denied our Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj his coronation. This same ideology defamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. They even tried to kill Jyotirao Phule. Cow dung and filth were thrown at Savitribai Phule. Sanatan Dharma conspired against Shahu Maharaj and denied Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar basic rights like water and education,” he said.

Awhad’s statements come just after Thursday’s court ruling that saw all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case – including BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi (also known as Shankaracharya), and Sameer Kulkarni – acquitted due to lack of evidence. The court noted that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The special NIA court also ordered the Maharashtra government to pay compensation of ₹2 lakh to each of the families of those killed and ₹50,000 to each of the injured.