In a shocking display of reverence for a convicted terrorist, thousands gathered in Coimbatore on December 17, 2024, to bid farewell to SA Basha, the founder of the banned terrorist outfit Al-Ummah. The 84-year-old, who had served a life sentence for masterminding the horrific 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts, died at a private hospital after receiving parole a few months ago. The blasts, one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest terror attacks, killed 58 people, injured 231, and scarred the city with bloodshed and destruction.
The Spectacle That Shook Coimbatore SA Basha
Basha’s funeral procession resembled a hero’s send-off rather than a criminal’s farewell. The procession started in South Ukkadam and moved through the city to the Hyder Ali Tippu Sultan Sunnath Jamaath Masjid, with thousands crowding the streets to honor a man notorious for spreading terror.
People watched in disbelief as security forces stood by silently while the procession glorified a man who caused untold suffering. Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy lambasted the glorification, stating, “It is appalling that some politicians hail SA Basha as a martyr. This man killed innocents and left hundreds maimed. Glorifying him is a slap in the face of every victim.”
A Terrorist Who Threatened India’s Leadership
SA Basha did not limit his actions to violence. In 2003, while awaiting trial, he issued a public threat to assassinate then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Standing defiantly in front of journalists at the Coimbatore court, Basha declared that Modi would not leave Coimbatore alive if he visited the city. This chilling threat, combined with his orchestration of multiple bombings, cemented his reputation as one of India’s most dangerous terrorists.
The Coimbatore Carnage: A City on Fire
The Coimbatore serial blasts stand as one of Tamil Nadu’s darkest chapters. On February 14, 1998, 12 powerful explosions ripped through the city, targeting a rally scheduled for BJP leader LK Advani. The meticulously timed attack aimed to assassinate Advani and spread terror.
Bombs hidden in cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and fruit carts detonated across the city within 30 minutes, killing 58 people and injuring over 230. The blasts caused property damage estimated at ₹4.37 crores, but their psychological toll devastated families and communities.
Investigators uncovered SA Basha’s role as the mastermind behind the attacks. He worked with ISI operatives to plan and execute the carnage. Al-Ummah, the extremist organization he founded, served as the operational backbone, manufacturing bombs using RDX and PETN.
A Terrorist Network That Refuses to Die SA Basha
Al-Ummah may have faced an official ban after the Coimbatore blasts, but its remnants continue to haunt India’s security forces. In 2013, former members of the group orchestrated a bombing near the BJP office in Bangalore, injuring 16 people. Investigators linked these attacks to sleeper cells that trace their roots back to Basha’s terror network.
Tamil Nadu Politics Under Fire
The Tamil Nadu government, led by the DMK, sparked outrage with its handling of terror-related cases. Earlier this year, it released three convicts involved in the Coimbatore blasts, citing the Justice Adinathan Commission’s recommendations.
BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai sharply criticized the move, saying, “The DMK government is playing a dangerous game for electoral gains. These are terrorists, not freedom fighters. Their release betrays justice and disrespects victims.” He also slammed the government’s silence over Basha’s public glorification, calling it an endorsement of extremism.
A Grim Precedent SA Basha
Basha’s death and the spectacle surrounding his funeral triggered nationwide condemnation. Amar Prasad Reddy, a BJP functionary, compared Basha’s glorification to the hero-worship of Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict. “Allowing this spectacle sends a chilling message: that terrorism can be romanticized, and its perpetrators celebrated,” he said.
What Next? SA Basha
SA Basha’s death ends a dark chapter in Tamil Nadu’s history but raises troubling questions. Why did authorities allow such public adulation for a convicted terrorist? What message does this send to terror victims and their families? Most importantly, how can India ensure that extremists like Basha are remembered not as martyrs but as cold-blooded killers who sought to tear the nation apart?
As the dust settles over Coimbatore, the repercussions of this event will continue to reverberate across Tamil Nadu’s political circles and India’s security landscape. For now, SA Basha’s legacy serves as a chilling reminder of the enduring threat of extremism and the urgent need to counter it with decisive action.