Acquittals and convictions are part of the legal process, but fighting terrorism needs more than arrests and headlines. It needs a strong united voice from all political parties, keeping human lives and national security above political interests. Not just politicians, even human rights activists must adopt a more practical and evidence-based approach. Only then will the goal to dismantle those with ‘Na Pak intentions’ and ensure stringent punishment for culprits and militants be achieved. 

The 2006 train blasts were a shocking terror attack on Mumbai’s lifeline. Similarly, the 2008 Malegaon blast in a minority-dominated area created tension and division between communities. In the last fortnight, both significant terror cases have seen similar courtroom outcomes — the acquittal of all those arrested. 

Within hours of the acquittal in the Malegaon blast case, the BJP and Congress were seen locked in a fresh political slugfest. Both parties, using veiled references, accused each other of politicising terrorism, defying the usual lines from our political leaders who insist that terror has no religion. In fact, post-verdict, most political reactions reveal how communal lines still shape the national political discourse.