Thousands gathered to bid an extraordinary farewell to S. A. Basha, the mastermind behind the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts. Basha, founder of now-banned Al-Umma terror outfit, passed away at the age of 84 while undergoing treatment at PSG Hospitals, Coimbatore. Despite his notorious past, the funeral drew an enormous crowd, including prominent political leaders and representatives from Islamic organisations, sparking a heated debate across political and social circles.
Basha had been serving a life sentence for orchestrating the 1998 blasts that shook Coimbatore on February 14, killing 58 people and injuring over 231 others. The coordinated explosions were planned to target Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L. K. Advani during his visit to the city. Though Advani escaped unhurt, the attacks left an indelible scar on the city’s history.
A Polarizing Legacy
Having been granted parole for medical treatment in recent months, Basha succumbed to age-related ailments on December 16. The funeral procession began from his residence in South Ukkadam at 3:15 PM and proceeded to the Hydar Ali Tippu Sultan Sunnath Jamaath Masjid, where the final rites were performed at 4:30 PM.
Prominent leaders, including Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi general secretary and Manapparai MLA P. Abdul Samad, and Kongu Ilaignar Peravai president U. Thaniyarasu, were reportedly present at Basha’s residence. Leaders from various Islamic organisations also attended the funeral.
Speaking to reporters, NTK leader Seeman criticised the Tamil Nadu government for not releasing Basha and other convicts in the Coimbatore blast case, alleging that the ruling DMK failed to exercise its authority.
Massive Security Deployment
The scale of the crowd prompted stringent security measures by the police. Coimbatore City Police Commissioner V. Balakrishnan and other senior officers, including Tiruppur City Police Commissioner S. Lakshmi and Salem Range DIG E. S. Uma, supervised the arrangements. Approximately 1,500 police personnel, supported by two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and three companies of the Tamil Nadu Special Police IV Battalion, were deployed to ensure order during the procession.
The five-kilometer-long procession drew sharp criticism from right-wing groups and the BJP, which accused authorities of allowing an event that could lead to law and order issues. BJP district president J. Ramesh Kumar announced that the party and allied organizations would observe December 20 as a “Black Day” to protest the state government’s handling of the situation.
Outrage Among Right-Wing Groups
Earlier in the day, BJP and allied organisations had petitioned the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner, urging authorities to deny permission for the grand funeral procession. BJP leaders argued that honouring a convicted terrorist in such a manner set a dangerous precedent.
Speaking to the media, Kumar expressed outrage over what he termed a “hero’s farewell” for a man convicted of mass murder. “We strongly condemn the state government and police for allowing this. It sends a terrible message to the victims’ families and undermines justice,” he stated.
Public Reactions Divided
The funeral has left Coimbatore divided. While some mourners praised Basha for his contributions to the Muslim community, critics questioned the ethical and legal implications of such a large-scale procession. Victims’ families have reportedly expressed dismay at the glorification of a man responsible for one of India’s deadliest terror attacks.
