Instead of catching the real bombers, the then Government gave it a Hindu–Muslim colour : Sameer Kulkarni

Interview with Mr Sameer Kulkarni, recently acquitted in the Malegaon blast case

Chinchwad (Pune District), 15 August (News) – In 2008, a bomb blast took place in Malegaon. Earlier, in 2006, there had been another blast. This was the failure of the then Government. The day after the 2008 Malegaon blast, the then Home Minister visited the site, and at that very time, an incident of firing 56 rounds took place there. Even the Police were assaulted; one Police officer’s ear was cut off. The office of SIMI was right there. The related cases are still pending. Instead of catching those who actually carried out the blast, the then Government gave the incident a Hindu–Muslim colour, said Hindu nationalist Mr Sameer Kulkarni.

The statement was made during a public interview programme of Mr Sameer Kulkarni, recently acquitted in the Malegaon blast case, organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj on 12 August at the Ramkrishna More Auditorium in Chinchwad. Citizens from across Pimpri–Chinchwad attended in large numbers and responded enthusiastically. The interview was conducted by Dr Shramik Gojamgunde, Founder–President of Sahyadri Pratishthan Hindusthan.

On Mr Kulkarni’s arrival at the venue, he was welcomed with the beating of traditional drums and a shower of flowers. At the start of the programme, Shri Kshetra Dehu Devasthan head Shri Manik More Maharaj, Shri Morya Gosavi Chinchwad Devasthan head Shri Jitendra Dev Maharaj, and Mr Sameer Kulkarni garlanded the portrait of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and lit the ceremonial lamp. Shri Manik More Maharaj and Shri Jitendra Dev Maharaj then welcomed and honoured Mr Kulkarni. Other dignitaries present were also felicitated. The programme concluded with the full rendition of Vande Mataram.

The sequence of events narrated by Mr Sameer Kulkarni

1. This conspiracy was plotted with the 2009 elections in mind. Sharad Pawar dreamed of becoming Prime Minister, and in that pursuit, he engaged in appeasement politics, bringing forth the so-called ‘saffron terror’. Under a false name, I was arrested from Bhopal. The chassis and engine numbers of several two-wheelers were erased. Sadhvi Pragya Singh, who neither had a driving licence nor knew how to ride, was arrested and brutally beaten; as a result, she is unable to walk even today.

2. Under the Congress Government of the time, we were told to give false names. Though we were all vegetarians, pieces of meat were forcibly shoved into our mouths. The intent was to make us witnesses and force us to name the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh family and other Hindu organisations. We were subjected to inhuman beatings and pressure, but we never yielded.

Victory of manliness in Hindu culture

Due to financial constraints, I could not appoint my own lawyer for this case. While in prison, without access to paper or pen, I studied the law and represented myself before the Court. Emerging from this 17-year-long dark period, I felt the presence of the Almighty, and I realised that only the values of my Dharma, my motherland, and my family had enabled me to do all this in such adverse circumstances. Despite such harassment, all the accused in this case were acquitted. This is not a personal or organisational victory, but a victory of manliness in Hindu culture, and henceforth, no one will dare to torment innocent Hindu nationalists in this way.

Intention to dedicate the rest of life to the service of Hindu Dharma

My blood group is considered rare; even in that mental state while in prison, I donated blood 27 times, showing through action that ‘we give blood, we do not take blood’. I intend to dedicate the rest of my life to serving Hindu Dharma and ending the existence of the Congress Party. I also appeal to Hindus to never vote for the Congress in any election, as it is an anti-national and anti-Dharma party. While narrating these experiences, I was overcome with emotion.

I am indebted to all who supported me wholeheartedly

I am an ordinary person. Even today, I do not know many in my own locality in Chinchwad; but after my acquittal, everyone supported me. My mother is elderly and went through great hardship, yet today all Hindu brothers have shown me love, honoured me, helped me abundantly, and brought me into the public eye. For this, I am indebted to everyone, Mr Kulkarni concluded.