On night of Feb 18, 2007, bomb blasts tore through two carriages of Samjhauta Express as it travelled past Panipat towards Amritsar on way to Pakistani border. Source: Dawnby Muhammad Haris 18 February 2023
On 18th February 2007, the Samjhauta Express train, which ran between Delhi and Lahore, was targeted in a bomb blast that killed 68 people, including 40 Pakistani nationals. Today, 18th February 2023, marks the 16th anniversary of this tragic incident, which continues to be a reminder of the complex and volatile nature of the relationship between India and Pakistan. This train journey, which was meant to bring people from India and Pakistan together, turned into a nightmare when it was attacked by Indian terrorists. The incident left behind a trail of destruction, pain, and suffering, and it remains one of the most tragic events in the history of India-Pakistan relations.
The investigation into the Samjhauta Express bombing revealed the involvement of a right-wing extremist group in India. It was reported that the accused had links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, known for promoting religious extremism and hate speech. Swami Aseemanand, a right-wing Hindu nationalist and former RSS member, was among the individuals accused and found guilty in connection with the Samjhauta Express attack. In his confession before a magistrate in 2010, he admitted to having planned and executed the attack along with other co-conspirators. He was later acquitted of all charges in 2019 due to lack of evidence. Similarly, Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, a serving officer in the Indian Army, was also among those accused in the case. He was arrested in 2008 and charged with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit terrorism, but was released on bail in 2017. He has denied any involvement in the Samjhauta Express attack, but has admitted to having helped train Hindu extremists and providing them with weapons. The involvement of these individuals, as well as others linked to right-wing Hindu nationalist groups, in the Samjhauta Express attack has raised concerns about the role of extremist groups and their connections to some members of the Indian establishment.
These revelations were shocking and raised serious questions about the role of such groups in promoting violence and terrorism in India. The investigation into the Samjhauta Express bombing was also marred by controversy and political interference. Although initial investigations by the Indian authorities pointed towards the involvement of a Hindu extremist group, the investigation was later derailed, and all suspects were acquitted. This has raised serious questions about the state of law and order in India and the country’s commitment to holding perpetrators of violence accountable for their actions. Despite evidence that points to the involvement of Hindu extremists, India has failed to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. This failure to bring the culprits to justice is not only a violation of the victims’ human rights, but it also has broader implications for India-Pakistan relationship.
The lack of accountability for the Samjhauta Express attack sends a message that India tolerates extremist violence, especially when it is directed at Pakistanis. This undermines efforts to improve relations between the two countries, which have been strained for decades due to issues such as the Kashmir conflict. It also indicates that India is not serious about combating terrorism; the failure to bring the culprits to justice has caused distress to the families of the victims, who have been denied closure and justice for their loved ones. This is a violation of their human rights and is a cause for concern for any society that claims to be a secular and democratic society where the rule of law exists. The lack of accountability for the Samjhauta Express attack has wider implications for communal harmony within India. It reinforces the notion that some extremist sections of Indian society are above the law and can act with impunity, which can fuel further acts of violence against minority communities, particularly the Muslims. The acquittal of all suspects in the case, despite the availability of evidence, was a severe blow to the victims’ families and their hopes for justice. It has further eroded public trust in the Indian judiciary and its ability to deliver justice.
It is imperative that the Indian government takes urgent and credible steps to bring the perpetrators of the Samjhauta Express bombing to justice. The government must ensure that the investigation is transparent and free from any political influence. It must hold all those responsible for the attack accountable, regardless of their political affiliation or status.
Pakistan has consistently called on the Indian government to take serious and credible steps to bring the perpetrators of the Samjhauta Express bombing to justice. While there have been some convictions in the Samjhauta Express attack, the overall investigation and legal proceedings have been plagued by controversies and accusations of political interference. Pakistan has expressed concerns that the Indian government is not doing enough to bring the perpetrators to justice, and that this lack of action reflects a broader pattern of promoting and protecting Hindu extremist groups. Furthermore, Pakistan firmly believes that India uses such incidents to create a false narrative against Pakistan, potentially to justify future military action.
In conclusion, the Samjhauta Express attack was a tragic event that had far-reaching consequences, not only for the victims and their families but also for India and Pakistan relations. It was a heinous act of violence that cannot be ignored; and India cannot get away with the Samjhauta Express attack. The Indian government must take responsibility for its role in the attack, conduct a transparent and fair investigation, and hold those responsible accountable. Only by doing so can justice be served for the victims and their families, and the Indian government can begin to rebuild trust with Pakistan and work towards improving the overall state of relations between the two countries.