Thane Bomb Blast

ATS Arrests Five

Mumbai -
Mainstream Newspapers have reported that the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police on 14th June night arrested two persons (and 3 later) for their alleged involvement in planting crude explosive devices in two auditoriums and a movie hall over the last four months. While seven persons were injured in the blast at Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane on 4th June, the devices planted inside the Vishnudas Bhave Natyagruha at Vashi on 31st May and Cineraj movie hall at Vashi on 20th February were recovered live.

The (first) two accused have been identified as Ramesh Gadkari (Age 50) and Mangesh Nikam (Age 34). Investigations conducted by the ATS revealed the five are members of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Sanatan Sanstha. While the role of HJS is yet to be established, ATS officials said the five had conspired to trigger crude low intensity blasts to protest the film 'Jodhaa-Akbar' earlier this year, and staging of the play 'Amhi Pachpute'.

"They say the film and the play has hurt their religious sentiments as it shows Hindu Gods in a poor light," said ATS chief Joint Commissioner of Police Mr. Hemant Karkare. The accused have been sent to Police custody for 9 days. He added that, "These Organisations had protested throughout Maharashtra during the last few months. We received information of the opposition of HJS to the main issues of the paintings of MF Husain, 'Jodhaa-Akbar' and 'Yadakadachit' from its website. So we are making enquiries with the two Organisations." Both Organisations, HJS and Sanatan Sanstha have denied their involvement in the blast.

"Sanatan's Innocence will be proved!"

Says H.H. Dr. Athavale

It is but natural that the Congress, which had erroneously accused Swatantryaveer Savarkar of involvement in killing Mahatma Gandhi, has now implicated Sanatan Prabhat, Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. As Veer Savarkar was acquitted of all charges against him, rest assured, even Sanatan Sanstha will be proved innocent and for that to happen, we should continuously pray to God. We cannot rely on any MLA or MP of any party; but we can rely on God as He knows the Truth, and not the Government, Police or Judiciary. Pro-Hindus should realise that even they can be falsely implicated in different matters.

Hindus should remember this perspective on the bomb blasts and those arrested!
It was said in one press conference addressed by the Anti-Terrorism Squad, that Hindu activists are the accused in the Thane bomb blasts. I can look at the incident with an observer stance; instead, I express myself here with a view that no devout-Hindu seeker or worker should think inappropriately. Those who ask, "Should we remain passive, when Hindu Dharma is being defamed as a result of inaction on the part of the Government and political parties?", will get their answers from the following points of view:
1. The aim of seekers is to launch a Dharmakranti (Religious revolution) and establish the Divine Kingdom. Dharmakranti means making the Hindus behave religiously. This cannot be achieved by bomb blasts.
2. One should look at the incident positively, with a view that God wants to teach us something from every incident.
3. Those who have strayed away from the path of sadhana (spiritual practice) should pray and chant seriously at least now.
- H.H. Dr. Athavale, Founder, Sanatan Sanstha.
(Ref: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')

Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti issue statements denying any connection with the bomb blast!

At a Press conference held at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Dr. Uday Dhuri, coordinator of HJS for Mumbai District and Mr. Abhay Vartak, Spokesperson of Sanatan Ashram at Panvel categorically stated, " Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have nothing to do with the incident. Newspapers, news channels and the people should not connect the Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti with the bomb blast."

'Sanatan Prabhat' has no connection with the accused!
Flashing the news about the bomb blast and the arrests, the newspapers and media kept harping that the accused were activists of 'Sanatan Prabhat'. It pains us to note that the media is so ignorant and ill-informed, as not to understand that 'Sanatan Prabhat' is a newspaper and a newspaper cannot have 'activists'.

Will bomb blasts actually protect the feelings of Hindus?
It is indeed surprising that the five persons arrested in connection with the bomb blast at Gadkari Rangayatan theatre in Thane were Hindu activists. The investigation team has informed the reporters that the Hindu activists have confessed to the act. Of course this is the Police version. However, the truth will be known in due course in the courts, when the evidence will be submitted and arguments and counter-arguments will take place.
For the time being, if we accept the Police version, then everyone will agree that such an act is against the ethos of a cultured society. We strongly condemn the act!
The Police say that the arrested Hindus took the extreme step because their religious feelings were hurt. The incident has given rise to a question, whether the Hindus will really be able to protect their feelings by executing such bomb blasts?
The Police have also said that the Hindu activists claim to be the workers of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. However, we have been watching the activities of HJS from close quarters since its inception. We have not found that HJS in its teachings or style of functioning, has advocated such acts, which are not only criminal in nature, but also harmful to the common man. HJS focusses on educating the masses on protecting the Nation and providing religious education. For this reason alone, it has the blessings of many Saints. It is pertinent to note that the philosophy of the accused is dia-metrically opposite to that of HJS.

Discard path of violence, make the society adopt religious behaviour!
Under the aegis of HJS, thousands are working through democratic means, towards preventing denigration of Hindu Deities in the country. They are successful in their endeavour. Those fighting for the Hindu cause should not hope that denigration, which has assumed alarming proportions in the last few decades, will stop by a 4-5 year-old drive of educating the masses. The malpractices will cease only when the entire society will adopt religious behaviour in day-to-day life; not by executing bomb blasts. Hence, in the event that any Hindu activist should even remotely consider violent means to protect Dharma, then we advise that they discard the path of violence and instead focus on making the entire society adopt spiritually uplifting religious behaviour.

Do not impose a ban on Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti
The BJP General Secretary and ex-Dy. CM of Maharashtra, Mr. Gopinath Munde said, "The bomb blast at Thane should be condemned but trying to ban Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is not correct. Active members of Congress (I) and the National Congress have committed heinous crimes, but none has demanded yet that these Organisations be banned.

Faith in Sanatan, HJS
Pune based 'Samast Hindu Aghadi' has said in a pamphlet that they fully support Sanatan Sanstha and HJS, since thay have done great work in the society and for Hinduism. Bharatacharya Prof. SG Shevde says, "Taking law and order in hand is not the culture of Sanatan Sanstha and HJS. They always follow the law, hence asking to ban them will be like deliberately trying to defame them.
(Ref.: 'Dainik Sanatan Prabhat')

'Sanatan Prabhat' is in no way connected with Thane bomb blast!

Ramnathi (Ponda, Goa) -
'Sanatan Prabhat' is like any other newspaper group; a group that publishes periodicals. The group publishes a Daily (4 editions) in Marathi, a Weekly in Marathi and Kannada and a Monthly in Hindi, Gujarati and English. The ideology of these periodicals is pro-Hindu. Like any other newspaper group and media, this group is also engaged in publishing news and educating people on various issues. 'Sanatan Prabhat' and 'Sanatan Sanstha' are two different entities. Various media mention them as one, which is wrong. 'Sanatan Prabhat' has no separate machinery for taking up organisational work. I condemn the bomb blast. 'Sanatan Prabhat' has always taken immediate action and extended full cooperation to the Police whenever they have required. 'Sanatan Prabhat' is not even remotely connected to the bomb blast. - Mr. Pruthviraj Hazare, Editor, 'Sanatan Prabhat' group of periodicals.

HJS functions within the legal framework!

HJS coordinator for Mumbai District, Dr. Uday Dhuri clarifies: HJS conducts Hindutva-related campaigns within the legal framework. This includes activities such as opposing forceful collection of donations during public celebrations, minimising sound pollution, protesting against inappropriate and unrighteous programs etc. and simultaneously encourages activities that safeguard the interests of the Nation and Dharma. HJS also provides education on Dharma. It continually opposes denigration of Hindu Deities, Dharma, Saints etc. occurring through various mediums.

In light of this, HJS had opposed the play 'Amhi Pachpute' and had expressed objection in writing to the people concerned and is presently awaiting their reply. We toil to bring about change at the thought level through education and presenting to the concerned party, the spiritual fall out of their actions.

HJS has repeatedly appealed to devout Hindus and those working under its banner, not to resort to any illegal means and extreme measures in the process of opposing the non-Dharmik tendencies of people in society. The HJS has strongly condemned the blasts at Gadkari Rangayatan before and does so once again.