Fri Aug 01 21:47:34 UTC 2025: **News Article Summary:**

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan urged the Indian National Congress to avoid associating “saffron” with terrorism, emphasizing its reverence among Maharashtrians due to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s denial of Hindutva or saffron terror, referencing figures like Nathuram Godse and unsolved assassinations. Chavan also accused the current government of failing to deliver justice in terror attack cases, citing acquittals in the 7/11 train blasts and Malegaon blast. He highlighted his previous attempt to ban Sanatan Sanstha and questioned the credibility and timing of a former policeman’s claim about being instructed to arrest Mohan Bhagwat.

**Rewritten News Article:**

**Congress Leader Urges Party to Reclaim ‘Saffron,’ Accuses Govt of Terror Justice Failures**

**Mumbai, August 2, 2025** – Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has ignited a political debate, urging his party to avoid labeling terrorism as “saffron terror.” In a statement to The Hindu, Chavan emphasized the deep cultural significance of the saffron color in Maharashtra, linking it to the revered figure of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Chavan sharply criticized current Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s assertion that Hindutva or saffron terror never existed. “Who was Nathuram Godse then?” Chavan questioned, referencing the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. He further pointed to the unresolved assassinations of Comrade Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar, raising questions about the nature of terror in Manipur.

Accusing the current government of failing to provide justice to victims of terror attacks, Chavan cited the acquittals in the 7/11 train blasts and Malegaon blast cases. “What will you tell the victims? Who did it? Someone has to be accountable,” he demanded, urging the government to appeal the orders.

Chavan also revealed that during his tenure as Chief Minister before 2014, he had proposed a ban on Sanatan Sanstha under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Furthermore, he expressed skepticism regarding the recent claims of a former Maharashtra Police inspector who alleged he was instructed to arrest Mohan Bhagwat following the Malegaon blasts. Chavan questioned the inspector’s credibility, the timing of his statement, and why he remained silent during Fadnavis’s term as Chief Minister.

Chavan’s remarks come at a politically sensitive time, adding fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding terrorism, political ideologies, and the pursuit of justice for victims of violence.

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