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Seleucid–Mauryan war

2023-12-13T15:00:17Z

2001:67C:2628:647:94AF:C9FF:FEB7:FD6F: /* Indian Sources and Epigamia */Improvement

{{Short description|305–303 BC conflict in South Asia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Seleucid–Mauryan War
| partof = Conquests of [[Maurya Empire]]
| image = EasternSatrapsAfterAlexander.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = [[Alexander the Great]]'s Satrapies in Northern [[India]].
| date = 305–303 BC
| place = Northwestern [[India]], chiefly the [[Indus River Valley]]
| result = Mauryan victory<ref>{{harvnb|Grainger|2014|pp=108–110}}: "Such fighting as there was produced a decisive Indian victory. [...] There is little or no evidence for the [detailed] account [...] The career of Chandragupta is as unclear as that of Seleukos in the east."</ref>{{refn|group=note|Hartmut Scharfe (1971) had argued that Seleucus had gained the upper hand and retained overlordship of the eastern satrapies, which were put under Chandragupta's charge in exchange for the elephants as tribute; but according to Trautmann,{{sfn|Trautmann|2015|p=235}} no other scholars have agreed with this conclusion; Wheatley and Heckel state that Scharfe's argument "does not convince."{{sfn|Wheatley|Heckel|2011|p=296}}}}<br>
*Treaty of the Indus{{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=33–34}}
* Seleucid Empire's eastern satrapies ceded to Mauryan Empire
* Seleucus gives the hand of his daughter to Chandragupta, founding a dynastic alliance
* Chandragupta gives 500 [[war elephants]] to Seleucus
* Establishment of [[Megasthenes|diplomatic relations]]
* Conquest of the Persian territories such as [[Aria (region)]] [[Arachosia]], [[Gedrosia]] and [[Paropamisadae]] by the Mauryans <ref>[[Strabo]], ''Geography'', [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Strabo/15B*.html#2.9 xv.2.9]</ref> {{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=33–34}}<ref name="Smith1920">{{citation|last=Smith|first=Vincent Arthur|title=The Oxford History of India: From the Earliest Times to the End of 1911|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p2gxAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA104|year=1920|publisher=Clarendon Press|pages=104–106}}</ref>
| combatant1 = [[Maurya Empire]]
| combatant2 = [[Seleucid Empire]]
| commander1 = [[Chandragupta Maurya]]<br>[[Chanakya]]
| commander2 = [[Seleucus I Nicator]]
| strength1 = Unknown
| strength2 = Unknown
| casualties1 = unknown
| casualties2 = unknown
}}
{{Campaignbox Chandragupta}}
The '''Seleucid–Mauryan War''' was fought between 305 and 303 BC. It started when [[Seleucus I Nicator]], of the [[Seleucid Empire]], sought to retake the Indian [[satrapies]] of the [[Macedonian Empire]] which had been occupied by Emperor [[Chandragupta Maurya]], of the [[Maurya Empire]].

The war ended in a settlement resulting in the annexation of the [[Indus Valley]] region and part of Afghanistan to the Mauryan Empire, with Chandragupta securing control over the areas that he had sought, and a marriage alliance between the two powers. After the war, the Mauryan Empire emerged as the dominant power of the [[Indian subcontinent]], and the Seleucid Empire turned its attention toward defeating its [[Diadochi|rivals in the west]].
== Background ==
{{Main|Conquest of the Nanda Empire}}
[[Chandragupta Maurya]] established himself as ruler of [[Magadha]] around 321 BC. He decided to conquer the [[Nanda Dynasty]], rulers at the time of the [[Gangetic Plain]]. He fought the empire for eleven years with successful guerrilla campaigns, and captured the Nanda capital of [[Pataliputra]]. This led to the fall of the empire and the eventual creation of the [[Maurya Empire]] under Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.

The Persian provinces in what is now modern Afghanistan, together with the wealthy kingdom of [[Gandhara]] and the states of the [[Indus Valley]], had all submitted to [[Alexander the Great]] and become part of his empire. When Alexander died, the [[Wars of the Diadochi]] ("Successors") split his empire apart; as his generals fought for control of Alexander's empire. In the eastern territories one of these generals, [[Seleucus I Nicator]], was taking control and was starting to establish what became known as the [[Seleucid Empire]].
===Seleucus reconquest of Alexander empire===
According to the Roman historian [[Appian]], Seleucus,
{{quote|text=Always lying in wait for the neighboring nations, strong in arms and persuasive in council, he acquired Mesopotamia, Armenia, 'Seleucid' Cappadocia, Persis, Parthia, Bactria, Arabia, Tapouria, Sogdia, Arachosia, Hyrcania, and other adjacent peoples that had been subdued by Alexander, as far as the river Indus, so that the boundaries of his empire were the most extensive in Asia after that of Alexander. The whole region from Phrygia to the Indus was subject to Seleucus.|sign=<small>[[Appian]]</small>|source=''History of Rome'', The Syrian Wars [http://www.livius.org/ap-ark/appian/appian_syriaca_11.html 55]}}

Alexander had appointed satraps in control of his territories. Similarly [[satrap]]s were appointed to govern the Indus Valley. The Mauryans had annexed the areas governed by four such satraps: [[Nicanor (Antipatrid general)|Nicanor]], [[Philip (satrap)|Phillip]], [[Eudemus (general)|Eudemus]] and [[Peithon (son of Agenor)|Peithon]]. This established Mauryan control to the banks of the Indus. Chandragupta's victories convinced Seleucus that he needed to secure his eastern flank. Seeking to hold the Macedonian territories there, Seleucus thus came into conflict with the emerging and expanding Mauryan Empire over the Indus Valley.{{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=33–34}}
==Seleucid–Chandragupta war and result==
===Conflict and Epigamia===
According to Greek historian Appian,
{{blockquote|He (Seleucus) crossed the Indus and waged war with Sandrocottus [Maurya], king of the Indians, who dwelt on the banks of that stream, until they came to an understanding with each other and contracted a marriage relationship. | [[Appian]]| ''History of Rome'', The Syrian Wars [https://www.livius.org/ap-ark/appian/appian_syriaca_11.html 55]}}
[[File:Mauryan head from Sarnath.jpg|thumb|upright|Figure of a foreigner, found in [[Sarnath]], 3rd century BCE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bachhofer |first1=Ludwig |title=Early Indian Sculpture Vol. I |date=1929 |publisher=The Pegasus Press |location=Paris |pages=239–240 |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/rarebooks/early-indian-sculpture-vol-i |language=en}}</ref> This is a probable member of the West Asian [[Pahlava]] or [[Saka]] elite in the [[Gangetic plain]]s during the Mauryan period.<ref name="Gupta 122">Page 122: About the [[Masarh lion]]: "This particular example of a foreign model gets added support from the male heads of foreigners from Patna city and Sarnath since they also prove beyond doubt that a section of the elite in the Gangetic Basin was of foreign origin. However, as noted earlier, this is an example of the late Mauryan period since this is not the type adopted in any Ashoka pillar. We are, therefore, visualizing a historical situation in India in which the West Asian influence on Indian art was felt more in the late Mauryan than in the early Mauryan period. The term West Asia in this context stands for Iran and Afghanistan, where the Sakas and Pahlavas had their base-camps for eastward movement. The prelude to future inroads of the Indo-Bactrians in India had after all started in the second century B.C."... in {{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Swarajya Prakash |author-link=Swaraj Prakash Gupta|title=The Roots of Indian Art: A Detailed Study of the Formative Period of Indian Art and Architecture, Third and Second Centuries B.C., Mauryan and Late Mauryan |year=1980 |publisher=B.R. Publishing Corporation |isbn=978-0-391-02172-3 |pages=88, 122 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0lDqAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}.</ref><ref name="Gupta 318">According to Gupta [[:File:Mauryan head from Sarnath.jpg|this is]] a non-Indian face of a foreigner with a conical hat: "If there are a few faces which are nonIndian, such as one head from Sarnath with conical cap ( Bachhofer, Vol . I, Pl . 13 ), they are due to the presence of the foreigners their costumes, tastes and liking for portrait art and not their art styles." in {{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Swarajya Prakash |author-link=Swaraj Prakash Gupta|title=The Roots of Indian Art: A Detailed Study of the Formative Period of Indian Art and Architecture, Third and Second Centuries B.C., Mauryan and Late Mauryan |year=1980 |publisher=B.R. Publishing Corporation |isbn=978-0-391-02172-3 |page=318 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0lDqAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Report 1907-08 |date=1911 |page=55 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.35434/page/n101/mode/2up}}</ref>]]
Chandragupta and [[Seleucus I Nicator|Seleucus]] concluded a peace treaty and a marriage alliance in 303 BCE. Chandragupta received vast territories and in a return gave Seleucus 500 [[war elephant]]s,{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|2003|p=105}}<ref>Ancient India, (Kachroo, p.196)</ref><ref>''The Imperial Gazetteer of India'' (Hunter, p.167)</ref><ref>''The evolution of man and society'' (Darlington, p.223)</ref><ref>W. W. Tarn (1940). "Two Notes on Seleucid History: 1. Seleucus' 500 Elephants, 2. Tarmita", ''The Journal of Hellenic Studies'' '''60''', p. 84–94.</ref> a military asset which would play a decisive role at the [[Battle of Ipsus]] in 301 BCE.{{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=37}} In addition to this treaty, Seleucus dispatched an ambassador, [[Megasthenes]], to Chandragupta, and later [[Deimakos]] to his son [[Bindusara]], at the Mauryan court at [[Pataliputra]] (modern [[Patna]] in [[Bihar state|Bihar]]). Later, [[Ptolemy II Philadelphus]], the ruler of [[Ptolemaic Egypt]] and contemporary of [[Ashoka]], is also recorded by [[Pliny the Elder]] as having sent an ambassador named [[Dionysius (ambassador)|Dionysius]] to the Mauryan court.<ref name="perseus.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de">{{cite web|url=http://perseus.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plin.+Nat.+6.21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728023626/http://perseus.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plin.%2BNat.%2B6.21 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 July 2013 |title=Pliny the Elder, The Natural History (eds. John Bostock, H. T. Riley) }}</ref>

===Treaty of Indus===
According to Latin historian [[Junianus Justinus|Justin]],

{{blockquote|After having made a treaty with him (Sandrakotos) and put in order the Orient situation, Seleucos went to war against [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]].|[[Junianus Justinus]]|''Historiarum Philippicarum, libri XLIV'', [http://www.forumromanum.org/literature/justin/trad15.html XV.4.15]}}

The treaty on "[[Epigamia]]" implies lawful marriage between Greeks and Indians. {{citation needed|date=July 2009}}

The ancient Greecian Historians Justin, Appian, and Strabo preserve the three main terms of the Treaty of the Indus:<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=9UWdAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=The Land of the Elephant Kings: Space, Territory, and Ideology in the Seleucid Empire|last=Kosmin|first=Paul J.|date=2014-06-23|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-72882-0|language=en}}</ref>

*(i) Seleucus transferred to Chandragupta's kingdom the easternmost satrapies of his empire, certainly [[Gandhara]], [[Paropamisadae]], and the eastern parts of [[Gedrosia]], [[Arachosia]] and [[Aria]] as far as Herat.
*(ii) [[Chandragupta Maurya]] gave Seleucus 500 Indian war elephants.
*(iii) [[Epigamia]]: The two kings were joined by some kind of marriage alliance (ἐπιγαμία οι κῆδος); most likely Chandragupta wed a female relative of Seleucus.

===Exchange of presents===
Classical sources have also recorded that following their treaty, Chandragupta and Seleucus exchanged presents, such as when Chandragupta sent various [[aphrodisiac]]s to Seleucus:{{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=35}}

{{blockquote|And Theophrastus says that some contrivances are of wondrous efficacy in such matters [as to make people more amorous]. And Phylarchus confirms him, by reference to some of the presents which Sandrakottus, the king of the Indians, sent to Seleucus; which were to act like charms in producing a wonderful degree of affection, while some, on the contrary, were to banish love.|[[Athenaeus of Naucratis]], ''[[The deipnosophists]]'', Book I, chapter 32<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/Literature/Literature-idx?type=turn&entity=Literature000701860036&isize=M&pview=hide|title=Problem while searching in The Literature Collection|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313151642/http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/Literature/Literature-idx?type=turn&entity=Literature000701860036&isize=M&pview=hide|archive-date=13 March 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}

Sandrakottus son [[Bindusara]] 'Amitraghata' (Slayer of Enemies) also is recorded in Classical sources as having exchanged presents with [[Antiochus I]]:{{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=35}}

{{blockquote|text=But dried figs were so very much sought after by all men (for really, as [[Aristophanes]] says, "There's really nothing nicer than dried figs"), that even [[Amitrochates]], the king of the Indians, wrote to [[Antiochus I Soter|Antiochus]], entreating him (it is [[Hegesander (historian)|Hegesander]] who tells this story) to buy and send him some sweet wine, and some dried figs, and a [[sophist]]; and that Antiochus wrote to him in answer, "The dry figs and the sweet wine we will send you; but it is not lawful for a sophist to be sold in Greece. |author=[[Athenaeus]] |title=''[[Deipnosophistae]]'' XIV.67<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/Literature/Literature-idx?type=goto&id=Literature.AthV3&isize=M&page=1044|title=The Literature Collection: The deipnosophists, or, Banquet of the learned of Athenæus (volume III): Book XIV|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011201316/http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/Literature/Literature-idx?type=goto&id=Literature.AthV3&isize=M&page=1044|archive-date=11 October 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}

===Indian Sources and Epigamia===
Indian source Bhavishya Purana also mentioned about Chandrgupta marriage:
<blockquote>
śakyāsihāduddhasiṁhaḥ piturarddha kṛtaṁ padam॥
candraguptastasya sutaḥ paurasādhi pateḥ sutām।
sulūvasya tathodvahya yāvanī baudhatatparaḥ।।
ṣaṣṭhivarṣa kṛtaṁ rājyaṁ bindusārastatobhavat।
pitṛstulyaṁ kṛtaṁ rājyamaśokastanayo'bhavat ।।

(Bhavishya Purana - Pratisarga Parva 1: Chapter 6, Verse 43,44)<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/NHJr_bhavishya-maha-puran-1959-khem-raj-shri-krishna-lal-shri-venkateshwar-steam-press-mumbai|title=Bhavishya Maha Puran, 1959 Khem Raj Shri Krishna Lal, Shri Venkateshwar Steam Press, Mumbai|last=Khem Raj Shri Krishna Lal|first=Shri Venkateshwar Steam Press}}</ref>

Translation: The descendants of Shakyasingh became Lord Buddha, who ruled for half of his father's time. Chandragupta, a descendant of Buddha, married the Buddhist daughter of the Greek ruler Selucus, and he ruled for sixty years. After him, Bindusara, ruled, and eventually, Ashoka emerged as a significant ruler, continuing the lineage of Bindusara.
</blockquote>

=== Chandragupta conquest of four provinces===
Mainstream scholarship asserts that Chandragupta received vast territory west of the Indus, including the [[Hindu Kush]], modern-day Afghanistan, and the [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] province of Pakistan.<ref>[[Vincent Arthur Smith|Vincent A. Smith]] (1998). ''Ashoka''. Asian Educational Services. {{ISBN|81-206-1303-1}}.</ref><ref>[[Walter Eugene Clark]] (1919). "The Importance of Hellenism from the Point of View of Indic-Philology", ''Classical Philology'' '''14''' (4), pp. 297–313.</ref>
[[File:Standard Mauryan Empire.png|thumb | Western 4 provinces won by Chandragupta from Selucus (Gedrosia, Aria, Paropamisade- Hindukush and Arachosia).]]
Seleucus Nicator ceded the Hindu Kush, [[Punjab]] and parts of Afghanistan to Chandragupta Maurya.<ref name="Grant">[''R.G. Grant: Commanders pg. 49'' https://books.google.com/books?id=tFQcwH2StsMC&q=chandragupta#v=snippet&q=chandragupta&f=false]</ref> In consequence of their arrangement, Seleucus received 500 [[war elephant]]s from [[Chandragupta Maurya]], which subsequently influenced the [[Wars of the Diadochi]] in the west. Seleucus and Chandragupta also agreed to a marriage alliance, probably the marriage of Seleucus' daughter (named Berenice in Indian Pali sources) to Chandragupta.

According to Greek geographer and historian [[Strabo]], the ceded four territories:

<blockquote>
The geographical position of the tribes is as follows: along the Indus are the Paropamisadae, above whom lies the Paropamisus mountain: then, towards the south, the Arachoti (Arachosia): then next, towards the south, the Gedroseni (Gedrosia), with the other tribes that occupy the seaboard; and the Indus lies, latitudinally, alongside all these places; and of these places, in part, some that lie along the Indus are held by Indians, although they formerly belonged to the Persians. Alexander [III 'the Great' of Macedon] took these away from the Arians and established settlements of his own, but [[Seleucus Nicator]] gave them to [[Sandrocottus]] [Chandragupta], upon terms of intermarriage and of receiving in exchange '''five hundred elephants'''. Alongside the Paropamisadae, on the west, are situated the Arii, and alongside the Arochoti and Gedrosii the Drangae; but the Arii are situated alongside the Drangae on the north as well as on the west, almost surrounding a small part of their country. Bactriana lies to the north alongside both Aria and the Paropamisadae.

— Strabo 15.2.9<ref>[[Strabo]], ''Geography'', [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Strabo/15B*.html#2.9 xv.2.9]</ref>
</blockquote>

He also illustrates that all these four provinces combinedly called Ariana :
<blockquote>
Ariana is bounded on the east by the Indus River, on the south by the great sea, on the north by the Paropamisus mountain and the mountains that follow it as far as the Caspian Gates, and that its parts on the west are marked by the same boundaries by which Parthia is separated from Media and Carmania from Paraetacené and Persis.

— Strabo 15.2.8<ref>[[Strabo]], ''Geography'', [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.57231/page/141/mode/1up]</ref>
</blockquote>

According to [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]], the ceded four territories:
<blockquote>
Most geographers, in fact, do not look upon India as bounded by the river Indus, but add to it the four satrapies of the [[Gedrosia|Gedrose]] (Gedrosia), the [[Arachosia|Arachotë]] (Arachosia), the [[Herat|Aria]], and the [[Paropamisadë]], the [[Kabul River|River Cophes]] thus forming the extreme boundary of India.

— Pliny, Natural History VI, 23<ref>[https://archive.today/20121210070738/http://perseus.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plin.+Nat.+6.23 Pliny, Natural History VI, 23]</ref>
</blockquote>

[[File:Sophytes hemidrachm.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Sophytes]] may have been the [[Mauryan Empire]] satrap of [[Arachosia]], succeeding [[Sibyrtius]], after Seleucus had ceeded the Hellenistic territory of Arachosia to [[Chandragupta Maurya]] in the Seleucid–Mauryan war (305–303 BC).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bernard |first1=Paul |last2=Pinault |first2=Georges-Jean |last3=Rougemont |first3=Georges |title=Deux nouvelles inscriptions grecques de l'Asie centrale |journal=Journal des Savants |date=2004 |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=301 ff |doi=10.3406/jds.2004.1686 |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/jds_0021-8103_2004_num_2_1_1686}}</ref>]]
From this, it seems that Seleucus surrendered the easternmost provinces of [[Arachosia]], [[Gedrosia]], [[Paropamisadae]] and perhaps also [[Aria (satrapy)|Aria]]. On the other hand, he was accepted by other satraps of the eastern provinces. His Iranian wife may have helped him implement his rule in [[Bactria]] and [[Sogdiana]].<ref>[[Vincent Arthur Smith|Vincent A. Smith]] (1998). ''Ashoka''. Asian Educational Services. {{ISBN|81-206-1303-1}}.</ref><ref>[[Walter Eugene Clark]] (1919). "The Importance of Hellenism from the Point of View of Indic-Philology", ''Classical Philology'' '''14''' (4), p. 297-313.</ref>

===Establishment of diplomatic relations===
The arrangement proved to be mutually beneficial.{{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=33–34}} The border between the Seleucid and Mauryan Empires remained stable in subsequent generations, and friendly diplomatic relations are reflected by the ambassador [[Megasthenes]], and by the envoys sent westward by Chandragupta's grandson [[Ashoka]]. Chandragupta's gift of war elephants "may have alleviated the burden of fodder and the return march"{{sfn|Kosmin|2014|p=33–34}} and allowed him to appropriately reduce the size and cost of his large army, since the major threats to his power had now all been removed.{{sfn|Grainger|2014|pp=108–110}}

With the war elephants acquired from the Mauryas, Seleucus was able to defeat his rival, [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]], along with his allies at the [[Battle of Ipsus]]. Adding Antigonus's territories to his own, Seleucus would found the [[Seleucid Empire]], which would endure as a great power in the Mediterranean and the [[Middle East]] until 64 BC.

Mauryan control of territory in Afghanistan helped guard against invasion of India from the northwest.{{sfn|Grainger|2014|pp=108–110}} Chandragupta Maurya went on to expand his rule in India southward into the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]].<ref name="Grant"/>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{citation |last=Grainger |first=John D. |title=Seleukos Nikator: Constructing a Hellenistic Kingdom |date=2014 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0r3KAgAAQBAJ |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-80099-6}}
* {{citation |last=Kosmin |first=Paul J. |author-link=Paul J. Kosmin |title=The Land of the Elephant Kings: Space, Territory, and Ideology in Seleucid Empire |date=2014 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9UWdAwAAQBAJ |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=978-0-674-72882-0 }}
* {{citation |last=Majumdar |first=Ramesh Chandra |author-link=R. C. Majumdar |title=Ancient India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNxiN5tzKOgC |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |date=2003 |orig-year=1952 |isbn=81-208-0436-8 }}
* {{citation |last=Trautmann |first=Thomas |title=Elephants and Kings: An Environmental History |date=2015 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4cIECgAAQBAJ |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-26453-0}}
* {{citation |last1=Wheatley |first1=Pat |last2=Heckel |first2=Waldemar |title=Justin: Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus: Volume II| chapter="Commentary (Book 15)"|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQJTek1salEC| publisher=Oxford University Press| date=2011 |isbn=978-0-19-927759-9}}

{{Ancient Greek Wars|state=autocollapse}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seleucid-Mauryan war}}
[[Category:Wars involving India]]
[[Category:Wars involving ancient India]]
[[Category:Wars involving the Seleucid Empire|Mauryan]]
[[Category:300s BC conflicts]]
[[Category:Maurya Empire]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of ancient India]]
[[Category:Invasions by India]]

Saffron terror

2022-11-15T14:14:10Z

2001:67C:2628:647:94AF:C9FF:FEB7:FD6F: Some issue fixed

Saffron terror

2022-11-15T14:11:41Z

2001:67C:2628:647:94AF:C9FF:FEB7:FD6F: Fixed important info

{{Short description|Neologism describing Hindu extremism}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Lead too short|date=November 2021}}
{{Cleanup reorganize|date=June 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2022}}
}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}

'''Saffron terror''' is a [[neologism]] that has been used by some Indian politicians and journalists to describe acts of violence motivated by [[Hindutva]]. The term comes from the symbolic use of the [[saffron (color)|saffron]] colour by many Hindu nationalist organisations.<ref name="ocap">{{cite news | url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-08-26/news/27614770_1_saffron-terror-terror-incidents-bomb-blasts | title = Beware of saffron terror too, warns home minister |work=The Economic Times | date = 26 August 2010 | access-date = 10 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="deccanherald">{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/93137/phrase-saffron-terror-takes-message.html |title=PC defends 'saffron terror' remark |newspaper= Deccan Herald |date=1 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_570749.html |title=Rise of Hindu 'saffron terror' New straits Times |date=25 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120090509/http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_570749.html |archive-date=20 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-call-it-hindutva-terror-not-hindu-terror/20111014.htm#1|title=Call it Hindutva terror, not Hindu terror|date=14 October 2011|publisher=rediff.com/news|access-date=16 December 2014|author=Vicky Nanjappa}}</ref>

Several analysts and commentators have said that the term was being used as a [[smear tactic]] against the political opponents of [[Indian National Congress]], in the aftermath of attacks in 2007 and 2008 which targeted Pakistanis and Muslims. Members, or alleged members, of Hindu nationalist organisations like [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) or [[Abhinav Bharat]] have been implicated in such events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/759508/hindutva-terror-cases-nia-on-the-backfoot-as-apex-court-questions-complicity-charges|title=Hindutva terror cases: NIA on the backfoot as apex court questions complicity charges}}</ref><ref name=deepsaffron>{{cite news |author=Christophe Jaffrelot |title=A running thread of deep saffron |newspaper=The Indian Express|date=29 January 2009 |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-running-thread-of-deep-saffron/416409/ |access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Subhash Gatade |title=Saffron terror|newspaper=Himal |date=October 2007 |url=http://old.himalmag.com/component/content/article/1340-saffron-terror.html |access-date=16 December 2014}}</ref>

== Terminology ==
{{Broader|Terrorism in India|Religious violence in India#Anti-Hindu violence|Violence against Muslims in India}}
The term "saffron terror" was used as early as 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Praveen Swami|date=2002-03-16|title=Saffron Terror|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30244258.ece|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120074842/https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30244258.ece|archive-date=2021-11-21|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Frontline|language=en}}</ref> It gained popularity in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 attacks which targeted Pakistanis and Muslims and were allegedly instigated by members or alleged members of Hindu nationalist organisations like [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) and [[Abhinav Bharat]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/759508/hindutva-terror-cases-nia-on-the-backfoot-as-apex-court-questions-complicity-charges|title=Hindutva terror cases: NIA on the backfoot as apex court questions complicity charges|first=Vipin|last=Pubby|website=Scroll.in}}</ref><ref name="deepsaffron">{{cite news|author=Christophe Jaffrelot|date=29 January 2009|title=A running thread of deep saffron|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-running-thread-of-deep-saffron/416409/|access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Subhash Gatade|date=October 2007|title=Saffron terror|newspaper=Himal|url=http://old.himalmag.com/component/content/article/1340-saffron-terror.html|access-date=16 December 2014}}</ref>

The saffron colour appears in the party flags of various national parties of India like the [[Indian National Congress]] (Congress) and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref name="Party1">{{cite web|title=Article II-A Party Flag|url=http://www.aicc.org.in/Constitution%20FINAL%2012.6.08.pdf|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="Party2">{{cite web|title=Article II-A Party Flag|url=http://bjpkarnataka.org/downloads/bjp-logo-and-flags|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315105709/http://bjpkarnataka.org/downloads/bjp-logo-and-flags/|archive-date=15 March 2013|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> A saffron-coloured flag is commonly seen in most temples in India. [[Buddhist monk]]s typically wear saffron robes as a symbol of wisdom.<ref name="Robe">{{cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Barbara|title=The Buddha's Robe|url=http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefirstbuddhists/a/robes.htm|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> It has been claimed that the term "saffron terrorism" is a misnomer considering the historical descriptions of the saffron colour compared to the definitions of [[terrorism]].<ref name="wethepeople">{{cite web|title=On we the people: Is saffron terror a misnomer or real threat|url=http://social.ndtv.com/wethepeople/permalink/20556|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055953/http://social.ndtv.com/wethepeople/permalink/20556|archive-date=21 September 2013|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="mohan">{{cite web|title=Hindu terror is a misnomer, says RSS chief|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/hindu-terror-is-amisnomer-says-rss-chief/20101017.htm|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|[[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan]], who was India's first Vice-President and second President, described the saffron colour as follows: "Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation of disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work."<ref name="flag">{{cite web| url=http://mahapolice.gov.in/mahapolice/jsp/temp/html/flag_code_of_india.pdf| title=flagcodeofindia}}</ref>}}

=== Controversies ===
According to the journalist and BJP leader [[Balbir Punj]], the term "saffron terror" was invented and used by the Congress party in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 incidents (see below) in order to denounce the party's political opposition as "terrorists".<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/142835/Not-terrified-of-terrorism.html "Not terrified of terrorism"], ''Daily Pioneer'' – 12 December 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616100602/http://www.dailypioneer.com/142835/Not-terrified-of-terrorism.html |date=16 June 2011 }}</ref> In an analysis of the security situation during this period, [[B. Raman]] referred to acts of alleged reprisal terrorism by Hindus, criticizing "politicisation and communalisation of the investigative process" as leading to a "paralysis of the investigation machinery."<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-politicising-the-malegaon-case-is-dangerous-raman/20111117.htm Why politicising the Malegaon case is dangerous] Rediff — 17 November 2011</ref> [[Kanchan Gupta]] and [[Swapan Dasgupta]] have said that investigators were using the term "saffron terror" in their statements to the media to promote the agenda of the Congress.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main46.asp?filename=Ne070810coverstorypartIII.asp | title = Battleground heats up as the Hand plucks at the Lotus, one petal at a time | author = Swapan Dasgupta | date = 7 August 2010 | work = [[Tehelka]] | access-date = 30 July 2010| author-link = Swapan Dasgupta }}</ref>

In 2008, [[Rajnath Singh]], the then president of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s (BJP), spoke of a "political conspiracy" aimed at the "vilification of [[Hindu saints]] and army officers in the name of Hindu terrorism".<ref name="India Times editorial">{{cite news|author=Jug Suraiya|date=18 November 2008|title=SUBVERSE | Unholy terrors|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-19/subverse/27941797_1_hindu-terror-hindu-terrorism-saffron-terror|url-status=dead|access-date=24 June 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126145520/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-19/subverse/27941797_1_hindu-terror-hindu-terrorism-saffron-terror|archive-date=26 January 2013}}</ref> The term "saffron terror" was prominently used by some Congress party members in this campaign, most prominently by [[Digvijaya Singh]].<ref>Copy of diplomatic cable dated 23 December 2008 (10 December 2010). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/184566 "US Embassy Cables: Mumbai Conspiracy Allegations 'Outrageous' – US Ambassador"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. Retrieved 13 December 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Shekhar|first=Kumar Shakti|date=20 December 2010|title=Offence is Cong's defence|newspaper=The Pioneer|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/305049/Offence-is-Cong%E2%80%99s-defence.html|url-status=dead|access-date=15 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223024332/http://dailypioneer.com/305049/Offence-is-Cong%E2%80%99s-defence.html|archive-date=23 December 2010}}</ref> The BJP criticised these statements and filed a complaint with the [[Election Commission of India]], citing it as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct for political parties. The Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Digvijay Singh on this complaint.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 December 2007|title=Deuce! EC notice to Sonia, Digvijay|work=The Economic Times|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Deuce-EC-notice-to-Sonia-Digvijay/articleshow/2609302.cms|access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref>

Former Home Minister of India [[P. Chidambaram]] urged Indians to beware of "Saffron terror" in August 2010 at a meeting of state police chiefs in New Delhi.<ref name="saffronterrorndtv">{{cite web|date=25 August 2010|title=Saffron Terrorism — a new phenomenon, says Home Minister Chidambaram|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/saffron-terrorism-a-new-phenomenon-says-home-minister-chidambaram-47193|access-date=14 November 2012|publisher=NDTV.com}}</ref> Since making that remark, a Hindu [[swami]] in the [[Patan district]] has filed a [[defamation]] lawsuit against Chidambaram, saying that the saffron colour is a symbol of Hindu religion and that saints across the country wear attire of the same colour. The swami also said that saffron was a symbol of peace, sacrifice and God, and that Chidambaram has hurt the sentiments of Hindus by linking the symbol with terrorism.<ref>{{cite news|author=Press Trust of India|author-link=Press Trust of India|date=30 August 2010|title=Defamation suit against P Chidambaram for 'saffron terror' remark|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_defamation-suit-against-p-chidambaram-for-saffron-terror-remark_1431142|access-date=30 August 2010}}</ref> On 6 September 2010, a [[Gujarat]] court ordered a probe into the use of the term by Chidambaram.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 September 2010|title=Court orders probe into PC's saffron terror remarks|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Court-orders-probe-into-PC-s-saffron-terror-remarks/Article1-596703.aspx|url-status=dead|access-date=8 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909005727/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Court-orders-probe-into-PC-s-saffron-terror-remarks/Article1-596703.aspx|archive-date=9 September 2010}}</ref> Chidambaram was also criticised by members of his own party (the [[Indian National Congress]]) for the use of the term, with Congress spokesman [[Janardhan Dwivedi]] claiming "terrorism does not have any colour other than black."<ref>{{cite news|author=TNN|date=28 August 2010|title=Congress ticks off Chidambaram over 'saffron terror' remark|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28321710_1_saffron-terror-colour-saffron-terror-strikes|url-status=dead|access-date=10 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105085941/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28321710_1_saffron-terror-colour-saffron-terror-strikes|archive-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>

In the 2018 book ''Hindu Terror: Insider Account of Ministry of Home Affairs'', R.V.S. Mani, a former officer in the Home Ministry, alleged that the [[United Progressive Alliance]] (UPA) government had forced Home Ministry officials to manufacture a narrative about the presence of "Hindu terror".<ref>{{cite web|date=2 June 2018|title=Book by MHA officer reveals how UPA manufactured Hindu terror narrative|url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/culture/book-mha-officer-reveals-upa-manufactured-hindu-terror-narrative|access-date=9 June 2018|website=The Sunday Guardian Live}}</ref>

== Incidents ==
=== 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings ===
{{Main|2007 Samjhauta Express bombings}}
Twin blasts shook two coaches of the [[Samjhauta Express]] around midnight on 18 February 2007. Sixty-eight people were killed in the ensuing fire and dozens were injured.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NewsMartImportedStories/66-die-in-terror-attack-on-Samjhauta-Express/Article1-206617.aspx |title=66 die in 'terror attack' on Samjhauta Express |work=Hindustan Times |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=11 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602173937/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NewsMartImportedStories/66-die-in-terror-attack-on-Samjhauta-Express/Article1-206617.aspx |archive-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> It has been linked to [[Abhinav Bharat]], a Hindu fundamentalist group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/The-Mirror-Explodes/266145 |title=The Mirror Explodes | Smruti Koppikar |publisher=Outlookindia.com |access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref> In November 2008, it was reported that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) suspected the attacks were linked to Prasad Shrikant Purohit, an Indian army officer and member of Abhinav Bharat.<ref>{{cite news|author=Agencies |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/purohit-supplied-rdx-for-samjhauta-bomb-ats/386143/ |title=Purohit supplied RDX for Samjhauta bomb: ATS |newspaper=Express India |access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref> Purohit himself claimed that he had "infiltrated" the Abhinav Bharat. During an army's Court of Inquiry, 59 witnesses stated to the court, along with officers who testified that Purohit was tasked with gathering intelligence inputs by infiltrating extremist organisations.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/lt-colonel-purohit-did-the-army-sell-short-an-effective-officer-237995 |title=Lt Colonel Purohit: Did the Army sell short an effective officer? |publisher=NDTV.com |date=30 June 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013|quote=One by one, 59 witnesses, all from the Army, have told a Court of Inquiry — step one of Army's legal process- why they believe Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit was just doing his job by fraternising with right-wing extremists. ..Officers have testified that Lieutenant Colonel Purohit had, in the course of his duties, infiltrated organisations like the Students Islamic Movement of India or SIMI. This is exactly what he had been ordered to do as a military intelligence man.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/I-infiltrated-Abhinav-Bharat-Purohit/Article1-881014.aspx |title=I infiltrated Abhinav Bharat: Purohit |work=Hindustan Times |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515050930/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/I-infiltrated-Abhinav-Bharat-Purohit/Article1-881014.aspx |archive-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> On 8 January 2011, [[Swami Aseemanand]], a ''[[pracharak]]'' of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), confessed that he was involved in the bombing of Samjhauta Express,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-08/india/28376204_1_aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar-bomb-for-bomb-plan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928172014/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-08/india/28376204_1_aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar-bomb-for-bomb-plan |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2011 |title=Aseemanand owns up to strike on Mecca Masjid|date=8 January 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> a statement he later claimed to have made under duress.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rajinder Nagarkoti, TNN 10 Jan 2011, 02.57am IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/28378569_1_nia-court-samjhauta-express-blasts-blasts-case |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928114219/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/28378569_1_nia-court-samjhauta-express-blasts-blasts-case |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=Swami Aseemanand 'confessed' under duress: Counsel|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="TheHindu">{{cite news|last=Staff Reporter|title=My arrest illegal: Aseemanand|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2237816.ece|work=The Hindu|date=18 July 2011|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref>

There have also been allegations that [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] was responsible for the bombings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links_1463614 |title=US review finds five warnings of Headley's militant links — India — DNA |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> The United States declared Arif Qasmani, a Pakistani national and alleged 'LeT financier', to be the chief coordinator of the [[2006 Mumbai train bombings|2006 train bombing in Mumbai]] as well as the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, and labelled him an international terrorist via the United Nations.<ref>{{cite web|author=ramesh |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/curious-case-of-qasmani-who-us-un-named-in-bombing/735185/0 |quote="In return for Qasmani's support, Al-Qaida provided him with operatives to support the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India, and the February 2007 Samjota Express bombing in Panipat, India. Qasmani also facilitated the movement of Al-Qaida personnel out of Afghanistan in 2001", states the UN's narrative summary justifying the action against Qasmani. The US justification is similar. |title=Curious case of Qasmani, who US, UN named in bombing |work=The Indian Express |date=9 January 2011 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Sachin Parashar |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/india/29531592_1_qaida-al-qaida-arif-qasmani |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811144133/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/india/29531592_1_qaida-al-qaida-arif-qasmani |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 August 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=LeT trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction with help from Qaida|date=11 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/samjhauta-express-blast-vs-mumbai-terror-attacks-3328.html |title=Samjhauta Express Blast Vs Mumbai Terror Attacks by Radhavinod Raju |publisher=Ipcs.org |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref>

=== 2007 Ajmer Dargah attack ===
{{Main|Ajmer Dargah bombing}}

The Ajmer Dargah blast occurred on 11 October 2007, outside the [[Dargah]] (shrine) of [[Sufi]] saint [[Moinuddin Chishti]] in [[Ajmer]], Rajasthan, allegedly by the [[Hindutva]] organisation [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) and its groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/what-is-the-ajmer-dargah-blast-case-4580300/|title=What is the Ajmer Dargah blast case?|date=24 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="ToI-201110109-mole">{{cite news|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-09/india/28361088_1_rss-leader-indresh-kumar-swami-aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104110933/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-09/india/28361088_1_rss-leader-indresh-kumar-swami-aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2012|title=Co-conspirators saw RSS man as ISI mole|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=9 January 2011|access-date=14 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajmer-blast-case-two-rss-pracharaks-sentenced-life-imprisonment-4580944/|title=Ajmer blast case: Two 'RSS pracharaks' sentenced life imprisonment|date=20 August 2018}}</ref> On 22 October 2010, five accused perpetrators, of which four said to belong to the RSS, were arrested in connection with the blast.<ref name="IndianExpress-20101101">{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/four-of-five-ajmer-blast-accused-have-rss-links-ats/705648/|title=Four of five Ajmer blast accused have RSS links: ATS|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=1 November 2010|access-date=18 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1362808/india-jails-hindu-radicals-life-ajmer-sharif-shrine-blast/|title=India jails Hindu radicals for life over Ajmer Sharif shrine blast|date=22 March 2017}}</ref> Swami Aseemanand, in his confession, implicated the then General Secretary [[Mohan Bhagwat]] for ordering the terrorist strike.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://post.jagran.com/aseemanand-links-mohan-bhagwat-to-terror-attacks-report-1391682536|title=Aseemanand links Mohan Bhagwat to terror attacks: Report|date=6 February 2014|work=jagran.com}}</ref> Bhavesh Patel, another accused in the bombings, has corroborated these statements but later claimed that the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] [[Sushilkumar Shinde]] and some other Congress leaders forced him to implicate the RSS leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ajmer-blast-accused-claims-shinde-forced-him-to-name-rss-chief-bhagwat/424426-3-239.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927121847/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ajmer-blast-accused-claims-shinde-forced-him-to-name-rss-chief-bhagwat/424426-3-239.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-27|title=Shinde forced me to name RSS chief: Ajmer blast accused|work=IBNLive}}</ref>

=== 2008 Malegaon blasts ===
{{Main|29 September 2008 western India bombings}}

On 29 September 2008, three bombs exploded in the States of [[Gujarat]] and [[Maharashtra]] killing 8 persons and injuring 80. During the investigation in Maharashtra, a Hindu group was alleged to have been involved in the blasts. Three of the arrested persons were identified as Sadhvi [[Pragya Singh Thakur]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/arrests-of-hindu-terrorists-embarasses-bjp/article1-347669.aspx |title=Arrests of 'Hindu terrorists' embarasses BJP |work=Hindustan Times |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105035105/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/arrests-of-hindu-terrorists-embarasses-bjp/article1-347669.aspx |archive-date=5 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-25/india/27909361_1_maharashtra-s-anti-terrorism-squad-ats-abvp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104120056/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-25/india/27909361_1_maharashtra-s-anti-terrorism-squad-ats-abvp |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2012 |title=Sadhvi in jail for Malegaon blast|date=25 October 2008 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu. All three were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in [[Nashik]], which remanded them to custody till 3 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102561761400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026033900/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102561761400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2008 |title=Front Page : Malegaon blast; three remanded to custody |date=25 October 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> On 28 October, the [[Shiv Sena]], came out in support of the accused saying that the arrests were merely political in nature. Lending credence to this, the party chief, [[Uddhav Thackeray]], pointed out a potential [[conflict of interest]] in political rivalry as the [[Nationalist Congress Party]] (NCP) controlled the relevant ministry.<ref>{{cite web|author=PTI, 28 October 2008, 04:39PM IST |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sadhvi_Pragya_victim_of_race_within_cops_Shiv_Sena/rssarticleshow/3649064.cms |title=Real masterminds still at large, sadhvi Pragya a victim: Sena — Mumbai — City |work=The Times of India |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> NIA, National Investigation Agency, has found no evidence against Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and it has recommended the court to drop all charges against her.<ref name=IndianExpress>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sunil-joshi-murder-nia-set-to-drop-case-against-sadhvi-pragya-others-arrested-by-mp-police/1212272/ |title=NIA set to drop case against Sadhvi Pragya, others arrested by MP Police |date=27 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sadhvi-pragyas-freedom-now-depends-on-hc-ruling/articleshow/56945065.cms|title=Sadhvi Pragya's freedom now depends on HC ruling | India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> following which Bombay High Court granted bail to Pragya Thakur on 22 April 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/835892/why-blame-judiciary-for-granting-pragya-thakur-bail-when-investigative-agencies-show-no-spine|title=Why blame judiciary for granting Pragya Thakur bail when investigative agencies show no spine?|first=Jyoti|last=Punwani|website=Scroll.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/sadhvi-pragya-singh-may-not-like-saffron-terror-but-that-doesn-t-mean-it-was-a-bogey-59246.html|title=Sadhvi Pragya Singh may not like saffron terror, but that doesn't mean it was a 'bogey'|website=CatchNews.com}}</ref>

The Army officer Prasad Shrikant Purohit was also accused of being involved in the blast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/malegaon-blast-ats-says-purohit-main-conspi/413034/ |title=Malegaon blast: ATS says Purohit main conspirator |work=The Indian Express |date=20 January 2009 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> His counsel alleged that he was being falsely framed for political reasons because he has intelligence data of a sensitive nature pertaining to the operations of [[Students Islamic Movement of India]] (SIMI) and Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence activities in India|Inter-Services Intelligence]], which could embarrass some quarters.<ref>{{cite news|author=Agencies |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/malegaon-probe--purohit-could-even-be-eliminated-by-ats-/387838/ |title=Malegaon probe: 'Purohit could even be eliminated by ATS' |newspaper=Express India |access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref>

Reportedly, the term "saffron terror" was used to describe this event in mainstream Indian media.<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/136393/Rip-off-secular-medias-mask.html "Rip off 'secular' media's mask"], ''The Pioneer'' – 24 November 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616100614/http://www.dailypioneer.com/136393/Rip-off-secular-medias-mask.html |date=16 June 2011 }}</ref>

=== Other incidents ===
Members of [[Abhinav Bharat]] have been alleged to have been involved in a plot to kill [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] President [[Mohan Bhagwat]],<ref>{{cite news | author = Shibu Thomas, TNN | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-28/india/28315703_1_malegaon-blast-case-mohan-bhagwat-bhagwat-and-one | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110811080415/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-28/india/28315703_1_malegaon-blast-case-mohan-bhagwat-bhagwat-and-one | url-status = dead | archive-date = 11 August 2011 | title = Did Abhinav Bharat plan to kill RSS chief? | date = 28 June 2010 | work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 10 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_abhinav-bharat-used-derogatory-words-against-rss-chief-rr-patil_1369157 | title = Abhinav Bharat used derogatory words against RSS chief: RR Patil | last = Gangan | first = Surendra | date = 9 April 2010 | access-date = 12 October 2010 | location = Mumbai}}</ref> [[Headlines Today]] released a recorded video tested by the [[Central Forensic Science Laboratory]] which indicated the uncovering of an alleged plot to assassinate the [[Vice President of India]] [[Hamid Ansari]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/105546/India/saffron-brigades-terror-plots-exposed.html | title = Saffron brigade's terror plots exposed: India Today | last = Khetan | first = Ashsih | date = 15 July 2010 | access-date = 28 July 2010 | location = New Delhi}}</ref> Tehelka also released alleged audio tape transcripts of main conspirators of Abhinav Bharat, which indicated involvement of Military intelligence officers with the [[Abhinav Bharat]] group, in their January 2011 edition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne010111The_unturned.asp |title=The Unturned Stone |work=Tehelka |access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

The Indian [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Secretary]] [[R. K. Singh]] said that at least 10 people having close links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliated organisations were named accused in various acts of terror across India.<ref name="Hindu_RSS_01222013">{{cite news|title=10 people wanted in blast cases had links with RSS|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/10-people-wanted-in-blast-cases-had-links-with-rss/article4332826.ece?homepage=true|access-date=22 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

According to released documents by [[WikiLeaks]], Congress(I) party's general secretary [[Rahul Gandhi]] remarked to US Ambassador [[Tim Roemer]], at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister of India at his residence in July 2009, that the RSS was a "bigger threat" to India than the [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-think-before-you-speak-rss-tells-rahul/20101221.htm |title=Think before you speak, RSS tells Rahul — Rediff.com News |work=Rediff.com |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref> At The Annual Conference of Director Generals of Police held in New Delhi on 16 September 2011, a special director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) reportedly informed the state police chiefs that Hindutva activists have either been suspected or are under investigation in 16 incidents of bomb blasts in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=100893 |title=Hindutva activists behind 16 terror blasts in the country? |work=South Asia Mail|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Anirban Bhaumik, New Delhi, 20 Sep, DHNS |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/192456/saffron-terror-role-being-probed.html |title='Saffron terror' role being probed |work=Deccan Herald |date=21 September 2011 |access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Communalism (South Asia)]]
* [[Nationalist terrorism]]
* [[Saffronisation]]
* [[List of riots in India]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist
| refs =http://mahapolice.gov.in/mahapolice/jsp/temp/html/flag_code_of_india.pdf
| colwidth = 30em
}}

== Further reading ==
{{Portal|Hinduism|Conservatism
}}
* {{cite news | author = Praveen Swami | url = http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265400 | title = The Rise of Hindutva Terrorism | publisher = outlookindia.com | date = 11 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305095733/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265400 | archive-date = 5 March 2014 | url-status = dead | author-link = Praveen Swami }}
* {{cite book |last1=Andersen |first1=Walter K. |title=The brotherhood in saffron : the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu revivalism |date=2019 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |location=Noida, Uttar Pradesh |isbn=9789353055318}}
{{Hindu Nationalism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saffron terror}}
[[Category:Political neologisms]]
[[Category:Nationalist terrorism]]
[[Category:Propaganda in India]]
[[Category:Hinduism-motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in India]]
[[Category:Religious terrorism]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Militant Hindu groups]]
[[Category:Religious extremism]]

== Term usage ==
The first known use of the term "Saffron Terror" is from a 2002 article in ''[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]''.<ref>{{cite news |first=Praveen |last=Swami |author-link=Praveen Swami|title=Saffron Terror |newspaper=Frontline |date=16 March 2002 |url=http://www.frontline.in/navigation/?type=static&page=flonnet&rdurl=fl1906/19060080.htm |access-date=2014-12-10}}</ref> However, it was in the aftermath of 29 September 2008 bomb blast in the predominantly Muslim town of [[Malegaon]] in Maharashtra that it came to be used widely.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2523/stories/20081121252310100.htm |first=Praful | last=Bidwai | title = Saffron Terror | publisher = Frontline |date=8 November 2008 |access-date=26 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Not terrified of terrorism|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/142835/Not-terrified-of-terrorism.html|work=dailypioneer.com}}</ref><ref name="anger">{{cite web|title=Muslim Anger Vs Hindu Anger, International Terrorism Monitor – Paper No. 466|url=http://ramansterrorismanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2008/11/muslim-anger-vs-hindu-anger.html|access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref><ref name="ripoff">{{cite web|title=Rip off 'secular' media's mask|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/136393/Rip-off-secular-medias-mask.html|work=dailypioneer.com}}</ref><ref name="vital">{{cite web|date=30 October 2008|title=Malegaon blasts arrests vital in exposing Hindu terrorism|url=http://zeenews.india.com/home/malegaon-blasts-arrests-vital-in-exposing-hindu-terrorism_479823.html|access-date=2014-11-17|publisher=ZeeNews.com}}</ref>
In late 2008, Indian police arrested members of a Hindu cell allegedly involved in the [[29 September 2008 western India bombings#Malegaon blasts|Malegaon blasts]]. Former Home Minister of India [[P. Chidambaram]] urged Indians to beware of "Saffron terror" in August 2010 at a meeting of state police chiefs in New Delhi.<ref name="saffronterrorndtv">{{cite web| url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/saffron-terrorism-a-new-phenomenon-says-home-minister-chidambaram-47193 |title=Saffron Terrorism — a new phenomenon, says Home Minister Chidambaram |publisher=NDTV.com |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref> Since making that remark, a Hindu [[swami]] in the [[Patan district]] has filed a [[defamation]] lawsuit against Chidambaram, saying that the saffron colour is a symbol of Hindu religion and that saints across the country wear attire of the same colour. The swami also said that saffron was a symbol of peace, sacrifice and God, and that Chidambaram has hurt the sentiments of Hindus by linking the symbol with terrorism.<ref>{{cite news | title = Defamation suit against P Chidambaram for 'saffron terror' remark | author = Press Trust of India | newspaper = [[Daily News and Analysis]] | date = 30 August 2010 | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_defamation-suit-against-p-chidambaram-for-saffron-terror-remark_1431142 | access-date = 30 August 2010| author-link = Press Trust of India }}</ref> On 6 September 2010, a [[Gujarat]] court ordered a probe into the use of the term by Chidambaram.<ref>{{cite news | title = Court orders probe into PC's saffron terror remarks | newspaper = [[Hindustan Times]] | date = 6 September 2010 | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/Court-orders-probe-into-PC-s-saffron-terror-remarks/Article1-596703.aspx | access-date = 8 September 2010}}</ref> Chidambaram was also criticised by members of his own party (the [[Indian National Congress]]) for the use of the term, with Congress spokesman [[Janardhan Dwivedi]] claiming "terrorism does not have any colour other than black."<ref>{{cite news | author = TNN | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28321710_1_saffron-terror-colour-saffron-terror-strikes | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121105085941/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28321710_1_saffron-terror-colour-saffron-terror-strikes | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 November 2012 | title = Congress ticks off Chidambaram over 'saffron terror' remark | date = 28 August 2010 | work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 10 October 2010}}</ref>

The saffron colour appears in the party flags of various national parties of India like the [[Indian National Congress]] and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref name="Party1">{{cite web | title = Article II-A Party Flag | url=http://www.aicc.org.in/Constitution%20FINAL%2012.6.08.pdf | access-date = 21 March 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Party2">{{cite web| title=Article II-A Party Flag |url=http://bjpkarnataka.org/downloads/bjp-logo-and-flags |access-date=21 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315105709/http://bjpkarnataka.org/downloads/bjp-logo-and-flags/ |archive-date=15 March 2013 }}</ref> A saffron-coloured flag is commonly seen in most temples in India. [[Buddhist monk]]s typically wear saffron robes as a symbol of wisdom.<ref name="Robe">{{cite web | last=O'Brien |first= Barbara | title = The Buddha's Robe | url=http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefirstbuddhists/a/robes.htm | access-date = 21 March 2013 }}</ref> It has been claimed that the term "saffron terrorism" is a misnomer considering the historical descriptions of the saffron colour compared to the definitions of [[terrorism]].<ref name="wethepeople">{{cite web| title=On we the people: Is saffron terror a misnomer or real threat |url=http://social.ndtv.com/wethepeople/permalink/20556 |access-date=21 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055953/http://social.ndtv.com/wethepeople/permalink/20556 |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref><ref name="mohan">{{cite web | title = Hindu terror is a misnomer, says RSS chief | url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/hindu-terror-is-amisnomer-says-rss-chief/20101017.htm | access-date = 21 March 2013 }}</ref> Saffron is the colour of the upper band of the [[flag of India|Indian national flag]]. [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan]], who was India's first Vice-President and second President, described the saffron colour as follows: "Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation of disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work."<ref name="flag">{{cite web| url=http://mahapolice.gov.in/mahapolice/jsp/temp/html/flag_code_of_india.pdf| title=flagcodeofindia}}</ref>

== Criticism of the term ==
The term "saffron terror" has been called a "myth" by the journalist and BJP leader [[Balbir Punj]], who claims that it is an invention of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party to demonise their political opposition as "terrorists".<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/142835/Not-terrified-of-terrorism.html "Not terrified of terrorism"], ''Daily Pioneer'' – 12 December 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616100602/http://www.dailypioneer.com/142835/Not-terrified-of-terrorism.html |date=16 June 2011 }}</ref> Similar views have been expressed by other journalists in India.<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/136393/Rip-off-secular-medias-mask.html "Rip off 'secular' media's mask"], ''The Pioneer'' – 24 November 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616100614/http://www.dailypioneer.com/136393/Rip-off-secular-medias-mask.html |date=16 June 2011 }}</ref> [[Kanchan Gupta]] and [[Swapan Dasgupta]] have accused investigators of making statements using "saffron terror" to the media to promote the agenda of the Congress.<ref name=freemedia>{{cite web | url = http://rsschennai.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/free-media-tars-rss-with-fiction.html | title = 'Free' media tars RSS with fiction | author = Kanchan Gupta | date = 18 July 2010 | work = [[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]] | access-date = 2014-11-17| author-link = Kanchan Gupta }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main46.asp?filename=Ne070810coverstorypartIII.asp | title = Battleground heats up as the Hand plucks at the Lotus, one petal at a time | author = Swapan Dasgupta | date = 7 August 2010 | work = [[Tehelka]] | access-date = 30 July 2010| author-link = Swapan Dasgupta }}</ref> Raman accused the media of measuring Muslim and Hindu suspects by different yardsticks.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-politicising-the-malegaon-case-is-dangerous-raman/20111117.htm Why politicising the Malegaon case is dangerous] Rediff — 17 November 2011</ref>

The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s (BJP) president, [[Rajnath Singh]], spoke of a "political conspiracy" aimed at the "vilification of [[Hindu saints]] and army officers in the name of Hindu terrorism".<ref name="India Times editorial">{{cite news | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-19/subverse/27941797_1_hindu-terror-hindu-terrorism-saffron-terror | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130126145520/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-19/subverse/27941797_1_hindu-terror-hindu-terrorism-saffron-terror | url-status = dead | archive-date = 26 January 2013 | title = SUBVERSE | Unholy terrors | author = Jug Suraiya | date = 18 November 2008 | work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 24 June 2010}}</ref> The term "saffron terror" was prominently used by some Congress party members in this campaign, most prominently by [[Digvijaya Singh]].<ref>Copy of diplomatic cable dated 23 December 2008 (10 December 2010). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/184566 "US Embassy Cables: Mumbai Conspiracy Allegations 'Outrageous' – US Ambassador"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. Retrieved 13 December 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Offence is Cong's defence |first=Kumar Shakti |last=Shekhar |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/305049/Offence-is-Cong%E2%80%99s-defence.html |newspaper=The Pioneer |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=15 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223024332/http://dailypioneer.com/305049/Offence-is-Cong%E2%80%99s-defence.html |archive-date=23 December 2010 }}</ref> The BJP criticised these statements and filed a complaint with the [[Election Commission of India]], citing it as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct for political parties. The Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Digvijay Singh on this complaint.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Deuce-EC-notice-to-Sonia-Digvijay/articleshow/2609302.cms | title = Deuce! EC notice to Sonia, Digvijay | work = The Economic Times | date = 10 December 2007 | access-date = 10 October 2010}}</ref> The Hindu spiritual leader [[Sri Sri Ravi Shankar]] has also criticised it, saying that it is a myth and insult to the Hindu religion, which he said is the most tolerant religion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/not-true./766180/ | title = 'Saffron terror' term insult to Hindu religion: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar | date = 23 March 2011 | work = [[The Indian Express]] | access-date = 24 March 2011}}</ref>

R.V.S. Mani, a former officer in the Home Ministry, published a book ''Hindu Terror: Insider Account of Ministry of Home Affairs'' in 2018, alleging that the UPA government had forced Home Ministry officials to "manufacture" a false narrative about the presence of "Hindu terror".<ref>{{cite web |title=Book by MHA officer reveals how UPA manufactured Hindu terror narrative |url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/culture/book-mha-officer-reveals-upa-manufactured-hindu-terror-narrative |website=The Sunday Guardian Live |access-date=9 June 2018 |date=2 June 2018}}</ref>

== Incidents ==
Hindu extremist organisations have allegedly carried out terrorist attacks like [[2006 Malegaon blasts]], [[Mecca Masjid bombing]] ([[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]), [[Samjhauta Express bombings]] and the [[Ajmer sharif dargah blast]].

=== 1999 killing of Graham Staines ===
The killing of [[Graham Staines]] has been cited as example of Saffron terror.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Saffron terror|author=PRAFUL BIDWAI|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2523/stories/20081121252310100.htm|magazine=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]}}</ref> Staines, a Christian missionary, and his two sons were burned to death in January 1999. In 2003, a [[Bajrang Dal]] activist, [[Dara Singh (Hindu nationalist)|Dara Singh]], was convicted of leading the gang that murdered Graham Staines and his sons, and was sentenced to life in prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Two-acquitted-in-Graham-Staines-murder-case/articleshow/31087879.cms |title=Two acquitted in Graham Staines murder case |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=2015-04-16}}</ref>

=== 2002 Gujarat riots ===
{{Main|2002 Gujarat riots|Godhra train burning}}
The 2002 communal riots in [[Gujarat]], where the majority of victims were Muslims, are attributed largely to "foot soldiers" of the [[Hindutva]] movement.<ref name="Anheier"/> The riots are part of a recent rise of Hindu extremist movements in India that have been linked to Saffron terrorism.<ref name="Anheier">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Global Studies|first1=Helmut K.|last1=Anheier|first2=Mark|last2=Juergensmeyer|publisher=SAGE Publications|date=2012|isbn=9781506338224|page=860}}</ref>

=== 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings ===
{{Main|2007 Samjhauta Express bombings}}
Twin blasts shook two coaches of the [[Samjhauta Express]] around midnight on 18 February 2007. Sixty-eight people were killed in the ensuing fire and dozens were injured.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NewsMartImportedStories/66-die-in-terror-attack-on-Samjhauta-Express/Article1-206617.aspx |title=66 die in 'terror attack' on Samjhauta Express |work=Hindustan Times |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=11 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602173937/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NewsMartImportedStories/66-die-in-terror-attack-on-Samjhauta-Express/Article1-206617.aspx |archive-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> It has been allegedly linked to [[Abhinav Bharat]], a Hindu fundamentalist group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/The-Mirror-Explodes/266145 |title=The Mirror Explodes | Smruti Koppikar |publisher=Outlookindia.com |access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref> In November 2008, it was reported that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) suspected the attacks were linked to Prasad Shrikant Purohit, an Indian army officer and member of Abhinav Bharat.<ref>{{cite news|author=Agencies |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/purohit-supplied-rdx-for-samjhauta-bomb-ats/386143/ |title=Purohit supplied RDX for Samjhauta bomb: ATS |newspaper=Express India |access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref> Purohit himself claimed that he had "infiltrated" the Abhinav Bharat. During an army's Court of Inquiry, 59 witnesses stated to the court, along with Officers who testified, that Purohit was doing his job of gathering intelligence inputs by infiltrating extremist organisations.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/lt-colonel-purohit-did-the-army-sell-short-an-effective-officer-237995 |title=Lt Colonel Purohit: Did the Army sell short an effective officer? |publisher=NDTV.com |date=30 June 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013|quote=One by one, 59 witnesses, all from the Army, have told a Court of Inquiry — step one of Army's legal process- why they believe Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit was just doing his job by fraternising with right-wing extremists. ..Officers have testified that Lieutenant Colonel Purohit had, in the course of his duties, infiltrated organisations like the Students Islamic Movement of India or SIMI. This is exactly what he had been ordered to do as a military intelligence man.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/I-infiltrated-Abhinav-Bharat-Purohit/Article1-881014.aspx |title=I infiltrated Abhinav Bharat: Purohit |work=Hindustan Times |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515050930/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/I-infiltrated-Abhinav-Bharat-Purohit/Article1-881014.aspx |archive-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> On 8 January 2011, [[Swami Aseemanand]], a [[pracharak]] of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), confessed that he was involved in the bombing of Samjhauta express,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-08/india/28376204_1_aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar-bomb-for-bomb-plan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928172014/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-08/india/28376204_1_aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar-bomb-for-bomb-plan |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2011 |title=Aseemanand owns up to strike on Mecca Masjid|date=8 January 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> a statement he later claimed to have made under duress.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rajinder Nagarkoti, TNN 10 Jan 2011, 02.57am IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/28378569_1_nia-court-samjhauta-express-blasts-blasts-case |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928114219/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/28378569_1_nia-court-samjhauta-express-blasts-blasts-case |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=Swami Aseemanand 'confessed' under duress: Counsel|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> Aseemanand claimed that he was tortured to give a false statement.<ref name="TheHindu">{{cite web|last=Staff Reporter|title=My arrest illegal: Aseemanand|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2237816.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref>

There have also been allegations that [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] was responsible for the bombings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links_1463614 |title=US review finds five warnings of Headley's militant links — India — DNA |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> The United States declared Arif Qasmani, a Pakistani national and alleged 'LeT financier', to be the chief coordinator of the [[2006 Mumbai train bombings|2006 train bombing in Mumbai]] as well as the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, and labelled him an international terrorist via the United Nations.<ref>{{cite web|author=ramesh |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/curious-case-of-qasmani-who-us-un-named-in-bombing/735185/0 |quote="In return for Qasmani's support, Al-Qaida provided him with operatives to support the July 2006 train bombing in Mumbai, India, and the February 2007 Samjota Express bombing in Panipat, India. Qasmani also facilitated the movement of Al-Qaida personnel out of Afghanistan in 2001", states the UN's narrative summary justifying the action against Qasmani. The US justification is similar. |title=Curious case of Qasmani, who US, UN named in bombing |work=The Indian Express |date=9 January 2011 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Sachin Parashar |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/india/29531592_1_qaida-al-qaida-arif-qasmani |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811144133/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/india/29531592_1_qaida-al-qaida-arif-qasmani |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 August 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=LeT trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction with help from Qaida|date=11 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/samjhauta-express-blast-vs-mumbai-terror-attacks-3328.html |title=Samjhauta Express Blast Vs Mumbai Terror Attacks by Radhavinod Raju |publisher=Ipcs.org |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref>

=== 2007 Ajmer Dargah attack ===
{{Main|Ajmer Dargah attack}}

The Ajmer Dargah blast occurred on 11 October 2007, outside the [[Dargah]] (shrine) of [[Sufi]] saint [[Moinuddin Chishti]] in [[Ajmer]], Rajasthan, allegedly by the [[Hindutva]] organisation [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) and its groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/what-is-the-ajmer-dargah-blast-case-4580300/|title=What is the Ajmer Dargah blast case?}}</ref><ref name="ToI-201110109-mole">{{cite news|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-09/india/28361088_1_rss-leader-indresh-kumar-swami-aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104110933/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-09/india/28361088_1_rss-leader-indresh-kumar-swami-aseemanand-naba-kumar-sarkar|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2012|title=Co-conspirators saw RSS man as ISI mole|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=9 January 2011|access-date=14 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajmer-blast-case-two-rss-pracharaks-sentenced-life-imprisonment-4580944/|title=Ajmer blast case: Two 'RSS pracharaks' sentenced life imprisonment}}</ref> On 22 October 2010, five accused perpetrators, of which four said to belong to the RSS, were arrested in connection with the blast.<ref name="IndianExpress-20101101">{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/four-of-five-ajmer-blast-accused-have-rss-links-ats/705648/|title=Four of five Ajmer blast accused have RSS links: ATS|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=1 November 2010|access-date=18 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1362808/india-jails-hindu-radicals-life-ajmer-sharif-shrine-blast/|title=India jails Hindu radicals for life over Ajmer Sharif shrine blast}}</ref> Swami Aseemanand, in his confession, implicated the then General Secretary [[Mohan Bhagwat]] for ordering the terrorist strike.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://post.jagran.com/aseemanand-links-mohan-bhagwat-to-terror-attacks-report-1391682536|title=Aseemanand links Mohan Bhagwat to terror attacks: Report|date=6 February 2014|work=jagran.com}}</ref> Bhavesh Patel, another accused in the bombings, has corroborated these statements but later claimed that the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] [[Sushilkumar Shinde]] and some other Congress leaders forced him to implicate the RSS leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ajmer-blast-accused-claims-shinde-forced-him-to-name-rss-chief-bhagwat/424426-3-239.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927121847/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ajmer-blast-accused-claims-shinde-forced-him-to-name-rss-chief-bhagwat/424426-3-239.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-27|title=Shinde forced me to name RSS chief: Ajmer blast accused|work=IBNLive}}</ref>

=== 2008 Malegaon blasts ===
{{Main|29 September 2008 western India bombings}}

On 29 September 2008, three bombs exploded in the States of [[Gujarat]] and [[Maharashtra]] killing 8 persons and injuring 80. During the investigation in Maharashtra, a Hindu group was alleged to have been involved in the blasts. Three of the arrested persons were identified as Sadhvi [[Pragya Singh Thakur]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/arrests-of-hindu-terrorists-embarasses-bjp/article1-347669.aspx |title=Arrests of 'Hindu terrorists' embarasses BJP |work=Hindustan Times |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105035105/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/arrests-of-hindu-terrorists-embarasses-bjp/article1-347669.aspx |archive-date=5 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-25/india/27909361_1_maharashtra-s-anti-terrorism-squad-ats-abvp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104120056/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-25/india/27909361_1_maharashtra-s-anti-terrorism-squad-ats-abvp |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2012 |title=Sadhvi in jail for Malegaon blast|date=25 October 2008 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu. All three were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in [[Nashik]], which remanded them to custody till 3 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102561761400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026033900/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102561761400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2008 |title=Front Page : Malegaon blast; three remanded to custody |date=25 October 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> On 28 October, the [[Shiv Sena]], came out in support of the accused saying that the arrests were merely political in nature. Lending credence to this, the party chief, [[Uddhav Thackeray]], pointed out a potential [[conflict of interest]] in political rivalry as the [[Nationalist Congress Party]] (NCP) controlled the relevant ministry.<ref>{{cite web|author=PTI, 28 October 2008, 04:39PM IST |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sadhvi_Pragya_victim_of_race_within_cops_Shiv_Sena/rssarticleshow/3649064.cms |title=Real masterminds still at large, sadhvi Pragya a victim: Sena — Mumbai — City |work=The Times of India |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> NIA, National Investigation Agency, has found no evidence against Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and it has recommended the court to drop all charges against her.<ref name=IndianExpress>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sunil-joshi-murder-nia-set-to-drop-case-against-sadhvi-pragya-others-arrested-by-mp-police/1212272/ |title=NIA set to drop case against Sadhvi Pragya, others arrested by MP Police }}</ref><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sadhvi-pragyas-freedom-now-depends-on-hc-ruling/articleshow/56945065.cms Sadhvi Pragya's freedom now depends on HC ruling]</ref> following which Bombay High Court granted bail to Pragya Thakur on 22 April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/835892/why-blame-judiciary-for-granting-pragya-thakur-bail-when-investigative-agencies-show-no-spine|title=Why blame judiciary for granting Pragya Thakur bail when investigative agencies show no spine?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/sadhvi-pragya-singh-may-not-like-saffron-terror-but-that-doesn-t-mean-it-was-a-bogey-59246.html|title=Sadhvi Pragya Singh may not like saffron terror, but that doesn't mean it was a 'bogey'}}</ref>

The Army officer Prasad Shrikant Purohit was also accused of being involved in the blast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/malegaon-blast-ats-says-purohit-main-conspi/413034/ |title=Malegaon blast: ATS says Purohit main conspirator |work=The Indian Express |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> His counsel alleged that he was being falsely framed for political reasons because he has intelligence data of a sensitive nature pertaining to the operations of [[Students Islamic Movement of India]] (SIMI) and Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence activities in India|Inter-Services Intelligence]], which could embarrass some quarters.<ref>{{cite news|author=Agencies |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/malegaon-probe--purohit-could-even-be-eliminated-by-ats-/387838/ |title=Malegaon probe: 'Purohit could even be eliminated by ATS' |newspaper=Express India |access-date=2014-11-17}}</ref>

=== 2007 Mecca Masjid bombing ===
{{Main|Mecca Masjid bombing}}

The Mecca Masjid bombing occurred on 18 May 2007 inside the [[Mecca Masjid]], a mosque in [[Hyderabad]]. Fourteen people were reported dead in the immediate aftermath.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/homepage/homedetails.asp#Killer|title=Homepage|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> The [[National Investigation Agency]],<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-29/india/30454293_1_special-nia-court-swami-aseemanand-samjhauta-blast-case |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511141753/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-29/india/30454293_1_special-nia-court-swami-aseemanand-samjhauta-blast-case |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-05-11 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=HC notice to NIA on Aseemanand petition}}</ref> [[Central Bureau of Investigation]]<ref>{{cite web|author=PTI |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article993217.ece |title=RSS leader likely to be quizzed again in Masjid blast case |work=The Hindu |date=27 December 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> and [[Anti Terrorist Squad (India)]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-27/jaipur/28225231_1_rajasthan-ats-dargah-blast-indresh-kumar | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927050440/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-27/jaipur/28225231_1_rajasthan-ats-dargah-blast-indresh-kumar | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-09-27 | work=[[The Times of India]] |title=ATS may grill Aseemanand before tackling Indresh}}</ref> questioned former members of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mosque-blast-RSS-man-grilled/H1-Article1-641887.aspx |title=Mosque blast: RSS man grilled |work=Hindustan Times |date=23 December 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214141646/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mosque-blast-RSS-man-grilled/H1-Article1-641887.aspx |archive-date=14 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Rahul Tripathi, TNN 24 Dec 2010, 03.06am IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-24/india/28222720_1_rss-leader-indresh-kumar-ajmer-blast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907094953/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-24/india/28222720_1_rss-leader-indresh-kumar-ajmer-blast |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 September 2011 |title=RSS leader grilled for Hindu terror|date=24 December 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> On 19 November 2010, the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] produced [[Swami Aseemanand]] before the court in connection with the Blast. But later he has retracted the confession citing the mental and physical pressure to provide that confession.<ref>[http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5092856&page=2 Swami Aseemanand takes back confession, says he was "coerced"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403035315/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5092856&page=2 |date=3 April 2011 }} MSN News — 31 March 2010</ref> The Special investigation Team (SIT) of Hyderabad Police arrested 'south India commander' of the LeT, identified as Shaik Abdul Khaja alias Amjad, from Afzalgunj area of the city. Police said that the arrestee was linked to Mohammed Abdul Shahid Bilal, key suspect in the bombing.<ref name="Andhra" /> In 2013, [[Yasin Bhatkal]] confessed that [[Indian Mujahideen]] had bombed two other places in [[Hyderabad]] later in August 2007 to avenge Mecca Masjid blast which was then allegedly attributed to Hindu fundamental groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/indian-mujahideen-bombed-hyderabad-to-avenge-mecca-masjid-blasts-yasin-bhatkal/|title=Indian Mujahideen bombed Hyderabad to 'avenge' Mecca Masjid blasts: Yasin Bhatkal|date=2013-09-03|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2016-03-15}}</ref>

The South Asia Terrorism Portal,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/terrorist_outfits/HuJI.htm |title=Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) |publisher=Satp.org |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> the [[Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idsa.in/idsastrategiccomments/HuJIaftertheDeathofitsIndiaChief_TKSingh_130208 |title=HuJI after the Death of its India Chief | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |publisher=Idsa.in |date=13 February 2008 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> the [[National Counter Terrorism Centre]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Huji-not-Hindu-group-behind-Makkah-Masjid-blast/Article1-603896.aspx |title=Huji, not Hindu group, behind Mecca Masjid blast |work=Hindustan Times |date=23 September 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831011624/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Huji-not-Hindu-group-behind-Makkah-Masjid-blast/Article1-603896.aspx |archive-date=31 August 2011}}</ref> the United States,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/the-sunday-et/dateline-india/US-UN-declare-HuJI-as-terrorist-organisation/articleshow/6272775.cms |title=US, UN declare HuJI as terrorist organisation |work=The Economic Times |date=8 August 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> and the United Nations<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/us-un-declare-huji-a-terror-group-42598?from=rightpanel |title=US, UN declare HuJI a terror group |publisher=NDTV.com |date=7 August 2010 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> reported that [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami]] was actually behind the attacks while excluding involvement by any Hindu group. Noting this, security analyst Bahukutumbi Raman has questioned "the two different versions that have emerged from Indian and American investigators."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?269964 |title=No Double Standards by B. Raman |publisher=Outlookindia.com |access-date=15 April 2013}}</ref> The South Asia Terrorism Portal cited Vikar Ahmed as a main suspect in the blast.<ref name="Andhra">{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/andhra/data_sheets/islamistex.htm |title=Data sheets: Terrorism related incidents in Andhra Pradesh since 2007 |publisher=Satp.org |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/timeline/2008.htm |title=India — Timeline Year 2008 |publisher=Satp.org |access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> Mohammed Abdul Shahid Bilal, former chief of HuJI's Indian operations, is also regarded as a key suspect in the Mecca Masjid bombing. Later he was shot by unknown gunmen in Karachi on 30 August 2007.<ref name="Andhra" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/India/Mecca-Masjid-blast-mastermind-dead/Article1-314861.aspx |title=Mecca Masjid blast mastermind dead |work=Hindustan Times |date=3 June 2008 |access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref>

The NIA began the probe in April 2011 after the initial investigations by the local police and the chargesheet filed by the CBI. 226 witnesses were examined during the trial and about 411 documents exhibited. The verdict was pronounced by a special NIA court acquitting all the accused due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/mecca-masjid-blast-case-verdict-live-updates|title=Aseemanand, All Others Acquitted in 2007 Mecca Masjid Blast Case|work=The Quint|access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref>

=== Other allegations ===
Members of [[Abhinav Bharat]] have been alleged to have been involved in a plot to kill [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] President [[Mohan Bhagwat]],<ref>{{cite news | author = Shibu Thomas, TNN | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-28/india/28315703_1_malegaon-blast-case-mohan-bhagwat-bhagwat-and-one | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110811080415/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-28/india/28315703_1_malegaon-blast-case-mohan-bhagwat-bhagwat-and-one | url-status = dead | archive-date = 11 August 2011 | title = Did Abhinav Bharat plan to kill RSS chief? | date = 28 June 2010 | work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 10 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_abhinav-bharat-used-derogatory-words-against-rss-chief-rr-patil_1369157 | title = Abhinav Bharat used derogatory words against RSS chief: RR Patil | last = Gangan | first = Surendra | date = 9 April 2010 | access-date = 12 October 2010 | location = Mumbai}}</ref> [[Headlines Today]] released a recorded video tested by the [[Central Forensic Science Laboratory]] which indicated the uncovering of an alleged plot to assassinate the [[Vice-President of India]] [[Hamid Ansari]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/105546/India/saffron-brigades-terror-plots-exposed.html | title = Saffron brigade's terror plots exposed: India Today | last = Khetan | first = Ashsih | date = 15 July 2010 | access-date = 28 July 2010 | location = New Delhi}}</ref> Tehelka also released alleged audio tape transcripts of main conspirators of Abhinav Bharat, which indicated involvement of Military intelligence officers with the [[Abhinav Bharat]] group, in their January 2011 edition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne010111The_unturned.asp |title=The Unturned Stone |work=Tehelka |access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

The Indian [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Secretary]] [[Raj Kumar Singh]] said that at least 10 people having close links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliated organisations were named accused in various acts of terror across India.<ref name="Hindu_RSS_01222013">{{cite news|title=10 people wanted in blast cases had links with RSS|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/10-people-wanted-in-blast-cases-had-links-with-rss/article4332826.ece?homepage=true|access-date=22 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

According to released documents by [[WikiLeaks]], Congress(I) party's general secretary [[Rahul Gandhi]] remarked to US Ambassador [[Timothy Roemer]], at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister of India at his residence in July 2009, that the RSS was a "bigger threat" to India than the [[Lashkar-e-Toiba|Lashkar-e-Tayiba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-think-before-you-speak-rss-tells-rahul/20101221.htm |title=Think before you speak, RSS tells Rahul — Rediff.com News |work=Rediff.com |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref> At The Annual Conference of Director Generals of Police held in New Delhi on 16 September 2011, a special director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) reportedly informed the state police chiefs that Hindutva activists have either been suspected or are under investigation in 16 incidents of bomb blasts in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=100893 |title=Hindutva activists behind 16 terror blasts in the country? |work=South Asia Mail|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Anirban Bhaumik, New Delhi, 20 Sep, DHNS |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/192456/saffron-terror-role-being-probed.html |title='Saffron terror' role being probed |work=Deccan Herald |access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Islamic terrorism]]
* [[Christian terrorism]]
* [[Cow vigilante violence in India]]
* [[Communalism (South Asia)]]
* [[Religious violence in India]]
* [[Nationalist terrorism]]
* [[Saffronisation]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist
| refs =http://mahapolice.gov.in/mahapolice/jsp/temp/html/flag_code_of_india.pdf
| colwidth = 30em
}}

== Further reading ==
{{Portal|Hinduism|War|Conservatism
}}
* {{cite news | author = Praveen Swami | url = http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265400 | title = The Rise of Hindutva Terrorism | publisher = outlookindia.com | date = 11 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305095733/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265400 | archive-date = 5 March 2014 | url-status = dead | author-link = Praveen Swami }}
{{Hindu Nationalism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saffron terror}}
[[Category:Political neologisms]]
[[Category:Nationalist terrorism]]
[[Category:Propaganda in India]]
[[Category:Hinduism-motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in India]]
[[Category:Religious terrorism]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Militant Hindu groups]]
[[Category:Religious extremism]]

Vachak

2022-11-02T05:05:50Z

2001:67C:2628:647:94AF:C9FF:FEB7:FD6F: Minor changes

{{Infobox software
| title =
| name = Vachak
| logo = Vachak logo.png
| logo caption =
| logo alt =
| logo size =
| collapsible = 
| screenshot = 
| screenshot size =
| screenshot alt =
| caption =
| other_names =
| author =
| developer = Vachak Technologies Private Limited
| released = 2022
| ver layout = 
| discontinued = 
| latest release version =
| latest release date = 
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date = 
| repo = 
| qid =
| programming language =
| middleware =
| engine = 
| operating system = Android and iOS
| platform =
| included with =
| replaces =
| replaced_by =
| service_name =
| size = 14.5 MB (iOS)
| standard =
| language = English and Hindi
| language count = 2
| language footnote =
| genre = Content Delivery Engine
| license = Freeware
| website = {{URL|vachak.app}}
| AsOf = October 2022
}}

'''Vachak''' is an Indian content delivery engine and news aggregator application based in Uttar Pradesh, India that provides content in multiple languages from multiple content providers/creators, currently available in English and Hindi. The application was launched in March 2022 by Vachak Technologies Private Limited with a vision to build the technologies that provides the seamless delivery of content and simplifying the content delivery process with the use of specially designed E2E tech stack. It is available on Android, iOS and web.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Vachak application |url=https://vachak.app/about-us |website=Vachak}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=VACHAK - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding |url=https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/vachak |website=Crunchbase |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pagetube.org/technology/best-news-app-in-india/|title=List of best news apps in India}}</ref>

The concept and term "Content Delivery Engine" is completely innovative that is first introduced by Vachak Technologies.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{URL|vachak.app}}
*{{Facebook|VachakAppOfficial}}
*VachakApp on [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.vachakapp Google Play]
*VachakApp on [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vachak/id1637201362 App Store]