Dec 1, 2008. It was a Monday. A Chennai based public opinion forum named Vigil had organized a meeting for the citizens to register the callousness of the UPA government in handling terror threats posed by Islamic terrorist organizations. Arun Shourie, who was the main speaker lashed out at the then Central Government for failing to act upon the intelligence inputs about imminent threats of attacks by terrorists. Before Shourie, an editor of a daily newspaper addressed the occasion who during his speech made use of the cliched overrated statement about how Tamil Nadu is a haven of peace, a false rhetoric peddled by all Dravidian parties. In a scathing and swift response, several alert men and women in the audience stood up and pointed out to the gruesome 1993 terrorist attack on the RSS office.
It wasn’t the usual day for Swayamsevaks as 8th August 1993 was the occasion of Guru Pooja. A small ceremony was held in the forenoon at the Narada Gana Sabha in Alwarpet, Chennai. After the event, members disbursed without a hint of what was to strike at them in the very same afternoon. At around 2.30 pm, a powerful RDX bomb exploded at RSS head quarters of Tamil Nadu situated in Chetpet, Chennai. Eleven people, including eight young pracharaks (RSS full timers) and 3 other Swayamsevaks who had come to meet RSS pracharaks lost their lives. Seven others were injured.
Kasinathan, fondly known as Kasi was one of the Pracharaks who died in the dreaded blast on August 8. He had quit his job at a national bank to join RSS as a full timer. He became the office secretary in Chennai after serving in several capacities in district level. He came across as a endearing personality and a swift decision maker who would go to any extent to help his fellow Swayamsevaks. He was reclining in his seat after lunch and he was hit by the beam that came down in the impact of the blast. Upon his death, his eyes were donated to Sankara Netralaya as per his wishes.
Investigations revealed that Islamic jihadis were hiding and training themselves for a long time to attack the RSS and terrorize Hindu society.
S.A. Basha was the prime accused and 15 others were arrested under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act for their alleged involvement in the blast and for possession of lethal weapons. The other hardcore Al-Umma activists who were arrested included its State Secretary M. Mohammed Ansari, Mujibur Rehman, Ojir, Mohammed Aslam, Siraj alias Auto Siraj and Ahmed Pasha. This was followed by riots against the Hindus in December marking the first anniversary of demolishment of the Babri Masjid.
Barring a few regional dailies and magazines, many in the national media did not even bother to cover the brutal bomb blasts leave alone condemn it. A few on the other hand were even apologetic to the Islamic terrorists as they twisted it as a vent in view of Babri Masjid demolition.
It was reported that the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had offered to provide money from the government to rebuil the RSS office. However, it was politely declined by the Swayamsevaks and was formally communicated by General Secretary H V Seshadri. Funds were collected by Swayamsevaks on their own through campaigns and the office was rebuilt through the donations made by several members of the public and other organizations. But what the governments and courts ought to do – making justice prevail by punishing the terrorists – has not been done despite the main accused getting arrested. Though the charge sheet was filed in 1994 and case was taken up by CBI which examined more than 200 witnesses, the perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice. Justice has been on exile for more 28 years.
(With inputs from VSK Tamil Nadu)
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