Swami Aseemanand - Revision history

Gretta18W5803957: cleanup formatting further and improved wording based on references

2025-11-13T07:24:28Z

cleanup formatting further and improved wording based on references

Bot: robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

2022-12-06T14:26:37Z

robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:56, 6 December 2022
Line 30:		Line 30:
	}}		}}

	'''Swami Aseemanand''' (born '''Naba Kumar Sarkar''') is an Indian<ref>{{cite news \|title=Swami Aseemanand's "interview" on his role in terror attacks triggers row \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/swami-aseemanands-interview-on-rss-role-in-terror-attacks-triggers-row/ \|accessdate=4 August 2020 \|work=The Indian Express \|date=6 February 2014 \|language=en}}</ref> [[sannyasa\|Hindu renunciate]] who was accused of masterminding the [[Ajmer Dargah bombing]], [[Mecca Masjid blast]], and the [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]]—<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/politics/swami-aseemanand-myth-of-the-monk-who-preached-terror\|title=Swami Aseemanand: Myth of the Monk Who Preached Terror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/believer\|title=Swami Aseemanand's radical service to the Sangh\|last=Reghunath\|first=Leena Gita\|date=February 2014\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/pacification-swami-aseemanand\|title=How one non-violent Muslim changed the heart of the ideologue of Hindu bombers\|last=Jaffrelot\|first=Christophe\|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot\|date=March 2011\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> before being acquitted of all charges.<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/samjhauta-express-blast-nia-court-acquits-all-accused-including-aseemanand/story-UICq9OHZFmd2799Ntm0cxM.html\|title=Swami Aseemanand, 3 others acquitted in 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing case\|date=2019-03-20\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>		'''Swami Aseemanand''' (born '''Naba Kumar Sarkar''') is an Indian<ref>{{cite news \|title=Swami Aseemanand's "interview" on his role in terror attacks triggers row \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/swami-aseemanands-interview-on-rss-role-in-terror-attacks-triggers-row/ \|accessdate=4 August 2020 \|work=The Indian Express \|date=6 February 2014 \|language=en}}</ref> [[sannyasa\|Hindu renunciate]] and [[Hindu nationalism\|Hindu nationalist]] Terror accused who was accused of masterminding the [[Ajmer Dargah bombing]], [[Mecca Masjid blast]], and the [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]]—<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/politics/swami-aseemanand-myth-of-the-monk-who-preached-terror\|title=Swami Aseemanand: Myth of the Monk Who Preached Terror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/believer\|title=Swami Aseemanand's radical service to the Sangh\|last=Reghunath\|first=Leena Gita\|date=February 2014\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/pacification-swami-aseemanand\|title=How one non-violent Muslim changed the heart of the ideologue of Hindu bombers\|last=Jaffrelot\|first=Christophe\|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot\|date=March 2011\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> before being acquitted of all charges.<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/samjhauta-express-blast-nia-court-acquits-all-accused-including-aseemanand/story-UICq9OHZFmd2799Ntm0cxM.html\|title=Swami Aseemanand, 3 others acquitted in 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing case\|date=2019-03-20\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>

	Aseemanand hailed from ~~a respected family in~~ [[West Bengal]] and was a post-graduate in physics. He was inducted into [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], a [[Hindu nationalism\|Hindu]] organisation at an early age, and then joined [[Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram]]~~, where he went on to yield considerable influence.~~		Aseemanand hailed from [[West Bengal]] and was a post-graduate in physics. He was inducted into [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], a [[Hindu nationalism\|Hindu]] organisation at an early age, and then joined [[Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram]]{{citation needed\|date=September 2022}}

	After being arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]], on cues from a primary suspect he recorded a confession, in which he admitted to committing the attacks. He was subsequently charged by the NIA;<ref name="tehelka">{{cite web \|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp \|title=In the words of a zealot \|publisher=Tehelka \|date=15 January 2011 \|accessdate=2011-11-19 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104224803/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp \|archive-date=4 January 2013 \|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aseemanand alleged custodial pressure behind the confessions and rejected any involvement.<ref name="TOI 2011">{{Cite news \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Confessed-involuntarily-and-under-duress-Samjhauta-blast-accused-Aseemanand/articleshow/8270299.cms \|title=Confessed involuntarily and under duress: Samjhauta blast accused Aseemanand - Times of India \|newspaper=The Times of India \|date=12 May 2011 \|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> NIA Special court accepted his claim, and went on to rule that the prosecutors had failed to prove their case, otherwise.<ref name="The Hindu1">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title=NIA court saw no merit in Aseemanand's 'confession'\|work=The Hindu\|date=24 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu2">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title='Aseemanand's confession was not voluntary'\|work=The Hindu\|date=21 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref>		After being arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]], on cues from a primary suspect he recorded a confession, in which he admitted to committing the attacks. He was subsequently charged by the NIA;<ref name="tehelka">{{cite web \|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp \|title=In the words of a zealot \|publisher=Tehelka \|date=15 January 2011 \|accessdate=2011-11-19 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104224803/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp \|archive-date=4 January 2013 \|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aseemanand alleged custodial pressure behind the confessions and rejected any involvement.<ref name="TOI 2011">{{Cite news \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Confessed-involuntarily-and-under-duress-Samjhauta-blast-accused-Aseemanand/articleshow/8270299.cms \|title=Confessed involuntarily and under duress: Samjhauta blast accused Aseemanand - Times of India \|newspaper=The Times of India \|date=12 May 2011 \|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> NIA Special court accepted his claim, and went on to rule that the prosecutors had failed to prove their case, otherwise.<ref name="The Hindu1">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title=NIA court saw no merit in Aseemanand's 'confession'\|work=The Hindu\|date=24 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu2">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title='Aseemanand's confession was not voluntary'\|work=The Hindu\|date=21 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref>
Line 68:		Line 68:
	[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]		[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
	[[Category:Terrorism in India]]		[[Category:Terrorism in India]]
			[[Category:Indian people imprisoned on charges of terrorism]]
			[[Category:Hindu nationalists]]
			[[Category:2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]]
			[[Category:21st-century Bengalis]]
			[[Category:Hinduism-motivated violence in India]]

2601:14B:4400:12AA:784A:FF63:6C4E:7315: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

2022-06-29T20:14:55Z

robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:44, 30 June 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{short description\|Indian Hindu monk\|bot=PearBOT 5}}		{{short description\|Indian Hindu monk/ alleged terrorist\|bot=PearBOT 5}}
	{{Multiple issues\|		{{Multiple issues\|
	{{original research\|date=November 2016}}		{{original research\|date=November 2016}}
Line 7:		Line 7:
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2020}}
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\|birth_name = Naba Kumar Sarkar<ref>https://indiankanoon.org/doc/87120206/</ref>		\|birth_name = Naba Kumar Sarkar<ref>https://indiankanoon.org/doc/87120206/ {{Bare URL inline\|date=April 2022}}</ref>
	\|image_caption =		\|image_caption =
	\|other_names = Jiten Chatterje, Omkarnath		\|other_names = Jiten Chatterje, Omkarnath
Line 30:		Line 30:
	}}		}}

	'''Swami Aseemanand''' (born '''Naba Kumar Sarkar''') is an Indian n<ref>{{cite news \|title=Swami Aseemanand's "interview" on his role in terror attacks triggers row \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/swami-aseemanands-interview-on-rss-role-in-terror-attacks-triggers-row/ \|accessdate=4 August 2020 \|work=The Indian Express \|date=6 February 2014 \|language=en}}</ref> [[sannyasa\|Hindu renunciate]] who ~~gained widespread media attention after a series~~ of ~~terrorist acts—the~~ [[Ajmer Dargah bombing]], [[Mecca Masjid blast]], and the [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]]—<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/politics/swami-aseemanand-myth-of-the-monk-who-preached-terror\|title=Swami Aseemanand: Myth of the Monk Who Preached Terror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/believer\|title=Swami Aseemanand's radical service to the Sangh\|last=Reghunath\|first=Leena Gita\|date=February 2014\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en~~\|url-status=live~~\|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/pacification-swami-aseemanand\|title=How one non-violent Muslim changed the heart of the ideologue of Hindu bombers\|last=Jaffrelot\|first=Christophe\|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot\|date=March 2011\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en~~\|url-status=live~~\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> before being acquitted of all charges.<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/samjhauta-express-blast-nia-court-acquits-all-accused-including-aseemanand/story-UICq9OHZFmd2799Ntm0cxM.html\|title=Swami Aseemanand, 3 others acquitted in 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing case\|date=2019-03-20\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>		'''Swami Aseemanand''' (born '''Naba Kumar Sarkar''') is an Indian<ref>{{cite news \|title=Swami Aseemanand's "interview" on his role in terror attacks triggers row \|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/swami-aseemanands-interview-on-rss-role-in-terror-attacks-triggers-row/ \|accessdate=4 August 2020 \|work=The Indian Express \|date=6 February 2014 \|language=en}}</ref> [[sannyasa\|Hindu renunciate]] who was accused of masterminding the [[Ajmer Dargah bombing]], [[Mecca Masjid blast]], and the [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]]—<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/politics/swami-aseemanand-myth-of-the-monk-who-preached-terror\|title=Swami Aseemanand: Myth of the Monk Who Preached Terror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/believer\|title=Swami Aseemanand's radical service to the Sangh\|last=Reghunath\|first=Leena Gita\|date=February 2014\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/pacification-swami-aseemanand\|title=How one non-violent Muslim changed the heart of the ideologue of Hindu bombers\|last=Jaffrelot\|first=Christophe\|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot\|date=March 2011\|website=[[The Caravan]]\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> before being acquitted of all charges.<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/samjhauta-express-blast-nia-court-acquits-all-accused-including-aseemanand/story-UICq9OHZFmd2799Ntm0cxM.html\|title=Swami Aseemanand, 3 others acquitted in 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing case\|date=2019-03-20\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>

	Aseemanand hailed from a respected family in [[West Bengal]] and was a post-graduate in physics. He was inducted into [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], a [[Hindu nationalism\|Hindu]] organisation at an early age, and then joined [[Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram]], where he went on to yield considerable influence.		Aseemanand hailed from a respected family in [[West Bengal]] and was a post-graduate in physics. He was inducted into [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], a [[Hindu nationalism\|Hindu]] organisation at an early age, and then joined [[Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram]], where he went on to yield considerable influence.

	After being arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]], on cues from a primary suspect he recorded a confession, in which he admitted to committing the attacks. He was subsequently charged by the NIA;<ref name="tehelka">{{cite web \|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp \|title=In the words of a zealot \|publisher=Tehelka \|date=15 January 2011 \|accessdate=2011-11-19 \|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130104224803/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp# \|archive-date=4 January 2013 \|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aseemanand alleged custodial pressure behind the confessions and rejected any involvement.<ref name="TOI 2011">{{Cite news \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Confessed-involuntarily-and-under-duress-Samjhauta-blast-accused-Aseemanand/articleshow/8270299.cms \|title=Confessed involuntarily and under duress: Samjhauta blast accused Aseemanand - Times of India \|newspaper=The Times of India \|date=12 May 2011 \|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> NIA Special court accepted his claim, and went on to rule that the prosecutors had failed to prove their case, otherwise.<ref name="The Hindu1">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title=NIA court saw no merit in Aseemanand's 'confession'\|work=The Hindu\|date=24 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu2">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title='Aseemanand's confession was not voluntary'\|work=The Hindu\|date=21 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref>		After being arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]], on cues from a primary suspect he recorded a confession, in which he admitted to committing the attacks. He was subsequently charged by the NIA;<ref name="tehelka">{{cite web \|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp \|title=In the words of a zealot \|publisher=Tehelka \|date=15 January 2011 \|accessdate=2011-11-19 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104224803/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp \|archive-date=4 January 2013 \|url-status=dead}}</ref> Aseemanand alleged custodial pressure behind the confessions and rejected any involvement.<ref name="TOI 2011">{{Cite news \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Confessed-involuntarily-and-under-duress-Samjhauta-blast-accused-Aseemanand/articleshow/8270299.cms \|title=Confessed involuntarily and under duress: Samjhauta blast accused Aseemanand - Times of India \|newspaper=The Times of India \|date=12 May 2011 \|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> NIA Special court accepted his claim, and went on to rule that the prosecutors had failed to prove their case, otherwise.<ref name="The Hindu1">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title=NIA court saw no merit in Aseemanand's 'confession'\|work=The Hindu\|date=24 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu2">{{cite news \|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece \|title='Aseemanand's confession was not voluntary'\|work=The Hindu\|date=21 April 2018 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref>

	In February 2014, a controversy erupted over interviews given by Swami Aseemanand to an advocate-reporter of ''[[The Caravan]]'' magazine while in [[Ambala]] Central Jail.<ref name="Outlook India">{{cite news \|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/totally-false-and-fabricated/289462 \|title=Totally False And Fabricated\|publisher=Outlook India \|date=7 February 2014 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{cite web \|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/what-aseemanand-allegedly-said-about-narendra-modi-rss-and-terror-480088 \|title=What Aseemanand allegedly said about Narendra Modi, RSS and terror \|publisher=NDTV \|date=6 February 2014 \|accessdate=2014-02-06}}</ref> Aseemanand claimed the contents of the interview to be faked which were based on a sting-operation and threatened legal action; the magazine rejected the charges and allegedly release transcripts of the interviews.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/swami-aseemanand-interviews\|title=The transcripts of all four interviews with Aseemanand~~\|last=Caravan\|first=The~~\|website=The Caravan\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/rss-terror-charges-aseemanand-threatens-to-sue-caravan-scribe-1379939.html\|title=RSS terror charges: Aseemanand threatens to sue Caravan scribe\|website=Firstpost\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aseemanand-threatens-to-launch-legal-action-against-the-caravan/article5665317.ece\|title=Aseemanand threatens to launch legal action against The Caravan\|date=2014-02-08\|work=The Hindu\|access-date=2019-12-31\|others=Special Correspondent\|language=en-IN\|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>		In February 2014, a controversy erupted over interviews given by Swami Aseemanand to an advocate-reporter of ''[[The Caravan]]'' magazine while in [[Ambala]] Central Jail.<ref name="Outlook India">{{cite news \|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/totally-false-and-fabricated/289462 \|title=Totally False And Fabricated\|publisher=Outlook India \|date=7 February 2014 \|accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{cite web \|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/what-aseemanand-allegedly-said-about-narendra-modi-rss-and-terror-480088 \|title=What Aseemanand allegedly said about Narendra Modi, RSS and terror \|publisher=NDTV \|date=6 February 2014 \|accessdate=2014-02-06}}</ref> Aseemanand claimed the contents of the interview to be faked which were based on a sting-operation and threatened legal action; the magazine rejected the charges and allegedly release transcripts of the interviews.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/swami-aseemanand-interviews\|title=The transcripts of all four interviews with Aseemanand\|website=The Caravan\|language=en\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/rss-terror-charges-aseemanand-threatens-to-sue-caravan-scribe-1379939.html\|title=RSS terror charges: Aseemanand threatens to sue Caravan scribe\|website=Firstpost\|date=8 February 2014\|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aseemanand-threatens-to-launch-legal-action-against-the-caravan/article5665317.ece\|title=Aseemanand threatens to launch legal action against The Caravan\|date=2014-02-08\|work=The Hindu\|access-date=2019-12-31\|others=Special Correspondent\|language=en-IN\|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

	==Early life==		==Early life==
Line 48:		Line 48:

	===Forcible conversion of Christians===		===Forcible conversion of Christians===
	[[Human Rights Watch]] reported that Aseemanand played a huge role in the [[1998 attacks on Christians in southeastern Gujarat]], where dozens of churches were burnt down or damaged. The Human rights watch also credited him with the "Unai hot springs conversion ritual" whereby Christian tribals in the district were taken to Asheemanand's ashram and then to the hot springs in Unai, where they were made to forcibly convert to Hinduism. The fieldwork of this conversion ritual was mostly done by the [[Hindu Jagran Manch]]. The tribals were [[animism\|animists]] before their conversion to Christianity.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/indiachr/christians8-04.htm\|title=IV. ~~VIOLENCE IN GUJARAT~~\|website=Human Rights Watch~~\|url-status=live~~\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a84b4.html\|title=~~Refworld {{!}}~~ Politics by Other Means: Attacks Against Christians in India\|~~last=Refugees\|first~~=United Nations High Commissioner for\|website=Refworld\|language=en\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref> During an interview he claimed to have converted more than 40,000 people to Hinduism and demolished 30 churches in Dang district.<ref name="swamiquote">{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/vantage/how-sangh-conducted-its-ghar-vapsi-programmes-gujarat-dangs-district\|title=How the Sangh conducted its ghar vapsi programmes in Gujarat's Dangs district\|last=Caravan\|first=The\|website=The Caravan\|language=en\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref>		[[Human Rights Watch]] reported that Aseemanand played a huge role in the [[1998 attacks on Christians in southeastern Gujarat]], where dozens of churches were burnt down or damaged. The Human rights watch also credited him with the "Unai hot springs conversion ritual" whereby Christian tribals in the district were taken to Asheemanand's ashram and then to the hot springs in Unai, where they were made to forcibly convert to Hinduism. The fieldwork of this conversion ritual was mostly done by the [[Hindu Jagran Manch]]. The tribals were [[animism\|animists]] before their conversion to Christianity.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/indiachr/christians8-04.htm\|title=IV. Violence in Gujarat\|website=Human Rights Watch\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a84b4.html\|title=Politics by Other Means: Attacks Against Christians in India\|publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees\|website=Refworld\|language=en\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref> During an interview he claimed to have converted more than 40,000 people to Hinduism and demolished 30 churches in Dang district.<ref name="swamiquote">{{Cite web\|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/vantage/how-sangh-conducted-its-ghar-vapsi-programmes-gujarat-dangs-district\|title=How the Sangh conducted its ghar vapsi programmes in Gujarat's Dangs district\|last=Caravan\|first=The\|website=The Caravan\|language=en\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref>

	The RSS mouthpiece ''[[Organiser (magazine)\|Organiser]]'' described him as "hero of the Dangs".<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aseemanand-s-journey-from-hero-of-dangs-to-terror-attacks-accused/story-J35Z9CSLxhl2QM66oUYy6L.html\|title=Aseemanand's journey from 'hero of Dangs' to terror attacks accused\|date=2018-04-17\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref>		The RSS mouthpiece ''[[Organiser (magazine)\|Organiser]]'' described him as "hero of the Dangs".<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aseemanand-s-journey-from-hero-of-dangs-to-terror-attacks-accused/story-J35Z9CSLxhl2QM66oUYy6L.html\|title=Aseemanand's journey from 'hero of Dangs' to terror attacks accused\|date=2018-04-17\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en\|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref>

	==Allegations, arrest and acquittal==		==Allegations, arrest and acquittal==
	Rajasthan's anti-terrorist squad (ATS) arrested Devendra Gupta on 29 April in connection with 2007 Ajmer Dargah bombing. During the course of his interrogation, Gupta allegedly mentioned that it was Aseemanand and Sunil Joshi who had brought him into their fold and persuaded him to carry out the attacks on [[Ajmer Sharif]] and [[Mecca Masjid]]. Rajasthan ATS was led to track Aseemanand and he was arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) on 19 November 2010 from an ashram in [[Haridwar]] in [[Uttarakhand]] for his alleged involvement in the Ajmer Sharief, Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express blasts.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/terror-probe-cbi-arrests-aseemanand-in-haridwar/713573/1 \|title=Terror probe: CBI arrests Aseemanand in Haridwar \|work=The Indian Express\|date=20 November 2010 \|accessdate=2011-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/aseemanand-confessed-role-in-samjhauta-blast/734614 \|title=Aseemanand confessed role in Samjhauta blast, claims probe \|work=The Indian Express\|date=7 January 2011 \|accessdate=2011-11-19}}</ref> He was charged in June 2011 by NIA for planning the blast. He was conditionally granted bail in 2015 in the blast case.<ref>http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nia-ok-with-bail-for-aseemanand-in-samjhauta-express-terror-case-1206239</ref> After a prolonged trial Swami Assemanand was acquitted in Ajmer dargah and Mecca Masjid blast cases by NIA Special Courts in March 2017 and April 2018.<ref name="IANS">{{cite news\|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/acquitted-two-cases-aseemanand-still-faces-samjhauta-case-trial-79690\|title=Acquitted in two cases, Aseemanand still faces Samjautha case trial\|author=IANS\|date=17 April 2018\|accessdate=2019-03-20\|publisher=The Newsminute\|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>		Rajasthan's anti-terrorist squad (ATS) arrested Devendra Gupta on 29 April in connection with 2007 Ajmer Dargah bombing. During the course of his interrogation, Gupta allegedly mentioned that it was Aseemanand and Sunil Joshi who had brought him into their fold and persuaded him to carry out the attacks on [[Ajmer Sharif]] and [[Mecca Masjid]]. Rajasthan ATS was led to track Aseemanand and he was arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) on 19 November 2010 from an ashram in [[Haridwar]] in [[Uttarakhand]] for his alleged involvement in the Ajmer Sharief, Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express blasts.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/terror-probe-cbi-arrests-aseemanand-in-haridwar/713573/1 \|title=Terror probe: CBI arrests Aseemanand in Haridwar \|work=The Indian Express\|date=20 November 2010 \|accessdate=2011-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/aseemanand-confessed-role-in-samjhauta-blast/734614 \|title=Aseemanand confessed role in Samjhauta blast, claims probe \|work=The Indian Express\|date=7 January 2011 \|accessdate=2011-11-19}}</ref> He was charged in June 2011 by NIA for planning the blast. He was conditionally granted bail in 2015 in the blast case.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nia-ok-with-bail-for-aseemanand-in-samjhauta-express-terror-case-1206239\|title = NIA Ok with Bail for Aseemanand in Samjhauta Express Terror Case}}</ref> After a prolonged trial Swami Assemanand was acquitted in Ajmer dargah and Mecca Masjid blast cases by NIA Special Courts in March 2017 and April 2018.<ref name="IANS">{{cite news\|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/acquitted-two-cases-aseemanand-still-faces-samjhauta-case-trial-79690\|title=Acquitted in two cases, Aseemanand still faces Samjautha case trial\|author=IANS\|date=17 April 2018\|accessdate=2019-03-20\|publisher=The Newsminute\|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

	On 20 March 2019, a NIA Special court acquitted all four accused including Swami Aseemanand in Samjhauta Express Blast case. "The NIA Special Court has concluded that the investigating agency has failed to prove the conspiracy charge and ruled that accused deserve a benefit of doubt", NIA Counsel RK Handa said.<ref name=TheIndependent.in>{{cite web\|url=http://theindependent.in/nia-fails-to-find-killers-of-68-samjhauta-express-passengers/\|title=NIA fails to find killers of 68 Samjhauta Express passengers\|website=TheIndependent.in}}</ref>		On 20 March 2019, a NIA Special court acquitted all four accused including Swami Aseemanand in Samjhauta Express Blast case. "The NIA Special Court has concluded that the investigating agency has failed to prove the conspiracy charge and ruled that accused deserve a benefit of doubt", NIA Counsel RK Handa said.<ref name=TheIndependent.in>{{cite web\|url=http://theindependent.in/nia-fails-to-find-killers-of-68-samjhauta-express-passengers/\|title=NIA fails to find killers of 68 Samjhauta Express passengers\|website=TheIndependent.in}}</ref>

>Abbasquadir: removed Category:Terrorism by country; added Category:Terrorism in India using HotCat

2021-06-06T10:10:07Z

removed Category:Terrorism by country; added Category:Terrorism in India using HotCat

New page

{{short description|Indian Hindu monk|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{original research|date=November 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2016}}
}}
{{Use Indian English |date=November 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox person
|birth_name = Naba Kumar Sarkar<ref>https://indiankanoon.org/doc/87120206/</ref>
|image_caption =
|other_names = Jiten Chatterje, Omkarnath
|image =
|birth_date =
|birth_place = Kamarpukar, [[Hooghly district, West Bengal]], India
|death_date =
|death_place =
|successor =
|party =
|boards =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|father = Bibhutibhushan Sarkar
|mother = Pramila Sarkar
|relations =
|callsign =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}

'''Swami Aseemanand''' (born '''Naba Kumar Sarkar''') is an Indian n<ref>{{cite news |title=Swami Aseemanand's "interview" on his role in terror attacks triggers row |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/swami-aseemanands-interview-on-rss-role-in-terror-attacks-triggers-row/ |accessdate=4 August 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=6 February 2014 |language=en}}</ref> [[sannyasa|Hindu renunciate]] who gained widespread media attention after a series of terrorist acts—the [[Ajmer Dargah bombing]], [[Mecca Masjid blast]], and the [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]]—<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/politics/swami-aseemanand-myth-of-the-monk-who-preached-terror|title=Swami Aseemanand: Myth of the Monk Who Preached Terror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/believer|title=Swami Aseemanand's radical service to the Sangh|last=Reghunath|first=Leena Gita|date=February 2014|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/perspectives/pacification-swami-aseemanand|title=How one non-violent Muslim changed the heart of the ideologue of Hindu bombers|last=Jaffrelot|first=Christophe|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot|date=March 2011|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> before being acquitted of all charges.<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/samjhauta-express-blast-nia-court-acquits-all-accused-including-aseemanand/story-UICq9OHZFmd2799Ntm0cxM.html|title=Swami Aseemanand, 3 others acquitted in 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing case|date=2019-03-20|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>

Aseemanand hailed from a respected family in [[West Bengal]] and was a post-graduate in physics. He was inducted into [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], a [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu]] organisation at an early age, and then joined [[Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram]], where he went on to yield considerable influence.

After being arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]], on cues from a primary suspect he recorded a confession, in which he admitted to committing the attacks. He was subsequently charged by the NIA;<ref name="tehelka">{{cite web |url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp |title=In the words of a zealot |publisher=Tehelka |date=15 January 2011 |accessdate=2011-11-19 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130104224803/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main48.asp?filename=Ne150111Coverstory.asp# |archive-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Aseemanand alleged custodial pressure behind the confessions and rejected any involvement.<ref name="TOI 2011">{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Confessed-involuntarily-and-under-duress-Samjhauta-blast-accused-Aseemanand/articleshow/8270299.cms |title=Confessed involuntarily and under duress: Samjhauta blast accused Aseemanand - Times of India |newspaper=The Times of India |date=12 May 2011 |access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> NIA Special court accepted his claim, and went on to rule that the prosecutors had failed to prove their case, otherwise.<ref name="The Hindu1">{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece |title=NIA court saw no merit in Aseemanand's 'confession'|work=The Hindu|date=24 April 2018 |accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu2">{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-court-saw-no-merit-in-aseemanands-confession/article23654734.ece |title='Aseemanand's confession was not voluntary'|work=The Hindu|date=21 April 2018 |accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref>

In February 2014, a controversy erupted over interviews given by Swami Aseemanand to an advocate-reporter of ''[[The Caravan]]'' magazine while in [[Ambala]] Central Jail.<ref name="Outlook India">{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/totally-false-and-fabricated/289462 |title=Totally False And Fabricated|publisher=Outlook India |date=7 February 2014 |accessdate=2019-03-21}}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/what-aseemanand-allegedly-said-about-narendra-modi-rss-and-terror-480088 |title=What Aseemanand allegedly said about Narendra Modi, RSS and terror |publisher=NDTV |date=6 February 2014 |accessdate=2014-02-06}}</ref> Aseemanand claimed the contents of the interview to be faked which were based on a sting-operation and threatened legal action; the magazine rejected the charges and allegedly release transcripts of the interviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/swami-aseemanand-interviews|title=The transcripts of all four interviews with Aseemanand|last=Caravan|first=The|website=The Caravan|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/rss-terror-charges-aseemanand-threatens-to-sue-caravan-scribe-1379939.html|title=RSS terror charges: Aseemanand threatens to sue Caravan scribe|website=Firstpost|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aseemanand-threatens-to-launch-legal-action-against-the-caravan/article5665317.ece|title=Aseemanand threatens to launch legal action against The Caravan|date=2014-02-08|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-12-31|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Early life==
Aseemanand was born ''Naba Kumar Sarkar'' in [[Kamarpukur|Kamarpukar]] located in the [[Hooghly district]] of [[West Bengal]]. (Over time he also used the aliases Jiten Chatterjee<ref name="rediff.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/column/a-friend-remembers-terror-suspect-swami-aseemanand/20110118.htm|title=Swami Aseemanand, as I know him|website=Rediff|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref> and Omkarnath.) His father was Bibhutibhushan Sarkar, a noted freedom fighter, and his mother is Pramila Sarkar.<ref name=Jaffrelot>{{cite journal |first=Christophe |last=Jaffrelot |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot |title=Paradigm Shifts by the RSS? Lessons from Aseemanand's Confession |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=XLVI |number=6 |date=5 February 2011 |pages=42–46 |url=http://www.epw.in/journal/2011/06/perspectives/paradigm-shifts-rss-lessons-aseemanands-confession.html |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=My son has been framed, says Aseemananda's mother |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/my-son-has-been-framed-says-aseemanandas-mother/716816/0 |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=27 November 2010 |accessdate=2016-11-03}}</ref> He is one of seven brothers.

His early life was influenced by [[Ramakrishna]] and his world-renowned disciple [[Swami Vivekananda]]. As a student he was inducted into the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). A graduate in physics, he did his post-graduation from the [[University of Burdwan]], at which time his association with the RSS got stronger. He went on to work for the RSS full-time as a [[RSS pracharak|pracharak]] in 1977 with the [[Sangh Parivar]] organisation Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA), which works for tribal welfare.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.oneindia.in/feature/samjhauta-express-blast-accused-swami-aseemanand-you-need-know-1511168.html |title=Samjhauta Express blast and accused Swami Aseemanand: All you need to know |newspaper=OneIndia |date=28 August 2014 |accessdate=2014-11-09}}</ref>{{better source|date=June 2021}}
His name Aseemanand was courtesy his guru, Swami Parmanand, in whose ashram in [[Bangramanjeshwar]] of [[Bardhaman]] Aseemanand stayed till 1988.<ref name=asianage>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianage.com/india/terror-has-new-colour-448 |title=Terror has a new colour |publisher=The Asian Age |date=16 January 2011 |accessdate=2011-11-19}}</ref>

== Activities in the Dangs district ==
In 1993, he came to the headquarters of VKA in Jaspurnagar in [[Chhattisgarh]]. After two years, Aseemanand was sent to [[Dang district, India|Dangs district]] of [[Gujarat]] to work with tribals in the area. Local tribals told him that [[Shabari]], from the ''[[Ramayana]]'', had lived in their forests, which influenced Swami Aseemanand to build a Shabari temple there.<ref name=asianage/> He was quite popular among Dang tribals. When Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram shunted him out of Dang over some controversy, the tribals refused to cooperate and he had to be brought back to placate them.<ref name="rediff.com"/> "We demolished thirty churches and built temples. There was some commotion."<ref name="swamiquote" />

===Forcible conversion of Christians===
[[Human Rights Watch]] reported that Aseemanand played a huge role in the [[1998 attacks on Christians in southeastern Gujarat]], where dozens of churches were burnt down or damaged. The Human rights watch also credited him with the "Unai hot springs conversion ritual" whereby Christian tribals in the district were taken to Asheemanand's ashram and then to the hot springs in Unai, where they were made to forcibly convert to Hinduism. The fieldwork of this conversion ritual was mostly done by the [[Hindu Jagran Manch]]. The tribals were [[animism|animists]] before their conversion to Christianity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/indiachr/christians8-04.htm|title=IV. VIOLENCE IN GUJARAT|website=Human Rights Watch|url-status=live|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a84b4.html|title=Refworld {{!}} Politics by Other Means: Attacks Against Christians in India|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|website=Refworld|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref> During an interview he claimed to have converted more than 40,000 people to Hinduism and demolished 30 churches in Dang district.<ref name="swamiquote">{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/vantage/how-sangh-conducted-its-ghar-vapsi-programmes-gujarat-dangs-district|title=How the Sangh conducted its ghar vapsi programmes in Gujarat's Dangs district|last=Caravan|first=The|website=The Caravan|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref>

The RSS mouthpiece ''[[Organiser (magazine)|Organiser]]'' described him as "hero of the Dangs".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aseemanand-s-journey-from-hero-of-dangs-to-terror-attacks-accused/story-J35Z9CSLxhl2QM66oUYy6L.html|title=Aseemanand's journey from 'hero of Dangs' to terror attacks accused|date=2018-04-17|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref>

==Allegations, arrest and acquittal==
Rajasthan's anti-terrorist squad (ATS) arrested Devendra Gupta on 29 April in connection with 2007 Ajmer Dargah bombing. During the course of his interrogation, Gupta allegedly mentioned that it was Aseemanand and Sunil Joshi who had brought him into their fold and persuaded him to carry out the attacks on [[Ajmer Sharif]] and [[Mecca Masjid]]. Rajasthan ATS was led to track Aseemanand and he was arrested by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) on 19 November 2010 from an ashram in [[Haridwar]] in [[Uttarakhand]] for his alleged involvement in the Ajmer Sharief, Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express blasts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/terror-probe-cbi-arrests-aseemanand-in-haridwar/713573/1 |title=Terror probe: CBI arrests Aseemanand in Haridwar |work=The Indian Express|date=20 November 2010 |accessdate=2011-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/aseemanand-confessed-role-in-samjhauta-blast/734614 |title=Aseemanand confessed role in Samjhauta blast, claims probe |work=The Indian Express|date=7 January 2011 |accessdate=2011-11-19}}</ref> He was charged in June 2011 by NIA for planning the blast. He was conditionally granted bail in 2015 in the blast case.<ref>http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nia-ok-with-bail-for-aseemanand-in-samjhauta-express-terror-case-1206239</ref> After a prolonged trial Swami Assemanand was acquitted in Ajmer dargah and Mecca Masjid blast cases by NIA Special Courts in March 2017 and April 2018.<ref name="IANS">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/acquitted-two-cases-aseemanand-still-faces-samjhauta-case-trial-79690|title=Acquitted in two cases, Aseemanand still faces Samjautha case trial|author=IANS|date=17 April 2018|accessdate=2019-03-20|publisher=The Newsminute|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

On 20 March 2019, a NIA Special court acquitted all four accused including Swami Aseemanand in Samjhauta Express Blast case. "The NIA Special Court has concluded that the investigating agency has failed to prove the conspiracy charge and ruled that accused deserve a benefit of doubt", NIA Counsel RK Handa said.<ref name=TheIndependent.in>{{cite web|url=http://theindependent.in/nia-fails-to-find-killers-of-68-samjhauta-express-passengers/|title=NIA fails to find killers of 68 Samjhauta Express passengers|website=TheIndependent.in}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aseemanand, Swami}}
[[Category:People from Hooghly district]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharaks]]
[[Category:University of Burdwan alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Terrorism in India]]