In Tamil Nadu, an unsettling practice seems to be emerging where deceased individuals linked to terrorism are celebrated posthumously. This was notably observed following the death of the convict behind the Coimbatore serial blasts, who was also implicated in the bombing of an RSS building that killed 12 people and the attack on Hindu Munnani founder Rama Gopalan. This individual passed away due to age-related ailments while on parole.
‘Organiser‘ highlighted efforts to portray this convict as a martyr, glorifying him as a hero who fought for Islamist causes under the guise of secularism. This narrative starkly contrasts with the treatment of other public events by the Tamil Nadu police. The police have historically been stringent, often requiring legal battles for permissions for RSS route marches annually, imposing restrictions on temple festivals, Vinayagar Chathurthi, and state protests.
Despite significant opposition from BJP and other political parties, the Tamil Nadu police sanctioned a large-scale funeral procession for this convict on the evening of December 17th in Coimbatore. This decision has sparked considerable controversy, highlighting a perceived disparity in how law enforcement handles public gatherings and memorials, depending on the political or ideological affiliations involved.
Chants of “Allahu Akbar” echoed throughout the route, demonstrating solidarity with Basha and exposing what many critics termed as the “haplessness” of the Tamil Nadu government in permitting a public display of support for a convicted terrorist. The scenes bore stark resemblance to similar incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, where mass funerals for terrorists have often turned into public spectacles of dissent.
1984 மதுரை ரயில் நிலையத்தில் எங்கள் வீரத்துறவி இராம.கோபாலன் ஜீ அவர்களை வெட்டிய பயங்கரவாதி
1993 சென்னை சேத்துப்பட்டு குண்டுவெடிப்பில் 12 நபர்களின் உயிரை பறித்த தீவிரவாதி
1998ல் கோவையில் குண்டு வைத்து 58அப்பாவி இந்துக்களை கொன்ற தீவிரவாதியின் இறுதி ஊர்வலத்தில் அல்லாஹு அக்பர் pic.twitter.com/s4h8g7jO2T
— கோவை ஆனந்த் HDF (@Covai_Anand) December 17, 2024
Basha, a controversial figure, was imprisoned for over 25 years for his role in orchestrating bomb blasts that targeted Hindus, claiming numerous lives. Despite his past, several political leaders attended his funeral and publicly mourned his death, drawing widespread criticism.
Prominent Political Figures Pay Tribute
Among those present at the funeral procession were former MLA Kongu Thaniarasu and Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) founder Sebastian Seeman. Leaders from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), including Deputy General Secretary Vanniarasu, also attended. Notably, Vanniarasu, who had met Basha during his parole last year, hailed him as a martyr and posted a message on social media saying, “Veer Salutes to Basha.”
பயங்கரவாதி பாட்ஷா இறுதி ஊர்வலத்தில் கொங்கு தனியரசு, சீமான் ! அதிர்ச்சியில் கோவை மக்கள்#கோவை_மன்னிக்காது#AlUmmahBasha #Coimbatore #Terrorist #BombBlast #NIA pic.twitter.com/pbg8boUJCY
— Aadhi Shiva (@aadhi_shiva1718) December 18, 2024
VCK leader and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan took to X (formerly Twitter) to eulogise Basha. In his statement, written in Tamil, he said, “Kovai Basha has lost his life after being in prison for more than a quarter of a century. Not only him, but also some of his relatives, including his son Siddique, were imprisoned and lost their lives. Even when his family was imprisoned to protect the interests of Muslims, he did not lose heart and lived with determination without wavering in his principles. His demise is a great loss for Muslims.” Thirumavalavan concluded by saluting Basha and lauding his supposed sacrifices for the Muslim community.
கால் நூற்றாண்டுக்கும் மேலாக சிறையில் தனது வாழ்வைப் பறிகொடுத்தவர் கோவை பாஷா அவர்கள். அவர் மட்டுமின்றி அவரது மகன் சித்திக் உள்ளிட்ட உறவினர்கள் சிலரும் சிறைப்படுத்தப்பட்டு வாழ்வை இழந்தனர். இசுலாமியர்களின் நலன்களைப் பாதுகாப்பதற்காக தனது குடும்பமே சிறைப்படுத்தப்பட்ட நிலையிலும் அவர்… pic.twitter.com/IuNNjuuksu
— Thol. Thirumavalavan (@thirumaofficial) December 18, 2024
Seeman’s Emotional Tribute and Attack on DMK
NTK’s Seeman expressed deep sorrow, referring to Basha as a “father figure” and lamenting the DMK government’s inaction on the premature release of Muslim prisoners. In a statement, Seeman said, “The death of father Basha is a great tragedy! Has the DMK government thought that the death of Muslim prisoners is their freedom? The powerless situation of not being able to rescue ‘my father’ despite knowing that injustice was being done gives me great mental pain and guilt.”
அப்பா பாட்சாவின் மரணம் கொடுந்துயரம்! இசுலாமிய சிறைவாசிகளின் மரணம்தான் அவர்களுக்கான விடுதலையென நினைத்துவிட்டதா திமுக அரசு?@CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin
கால் நூற்றாண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாகச் சிறைக்கொட்டடியில் வாடிய சிறைவாசி அப்பா பாட்சா அவர்களது மரணச்செய்தியறிந்து பெரும் அதிர்ச்சியும்,… pic.twitter.com/6pcJ12y4at
— செந்தமிழன் சீமான் (@Seeman4TN) December 17, 2024
He further accused the DMK of betraying the Muslim community, saying, “Isn’t it treasonous that the DMK, which came to power by winning the votes of all Muslim people, is delaying their long-standing demand for the release of Muslim prisoners?”
Backlash From Critics
Seeman’s statements and his characterisation of Basha as “father” sparked outrage on social media. Netizens questioned his selective outrage and asked why he remained silent about the Hindu victims of Basha’s bomb blasts. Many pointed out his lack of response to the persecution of Hindus in neighboring Bangladesh and accused him of hypocrisy.
Hindu Munnani, a prominent Hindu organisation, strongly condemned the trend of glorifying Basha. Its chief, Kadeswara Subramaniam, recalled Basha’s attempt to assassinate Hindu leader Rama Gopalan at Madurai Railway Station in July 1984 and demanded stringent action against those who eulogised him. “Why are leaders singing eulogies for Basha, a dreaded terrorist? This sets a dangerous precedent,” he said, calling for the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on such individuals.
தேச துரோகி @VanniKural ஐ தேசிய பாதூகாப்பு சட்டத்தில் கைது செய்க.. @HMOIndia @NIA_India pic.twitter.com/lOfT7cC4N4
— Sreedhar_(ஹிந்து தேசியவாதி) (@SShivajisreeram) December 17, 2024
Criticism of DMK and Its Allies
Hindu Munnani and other critics have questioned the Tamil Nadu government’s perceived leniency toward convicted terrorists. They alleged that both the DMK and its allies, including the VCK and NTK, prioritise minority appeasement over national security. “Are there special rules for releasing Muslim prisoners? Why is the government silent on such blatant glorification of terrorism?” asked Subramaniam.
தமிழகத்தை அச்சுறுத்திய கொடூர குற்றவாளி தியாகியா..?
1984 ஜூலை 17ஆம் தேதி கோவையில் பொதுக்கூட்டம் பேசி விட்டு இரயிலில் மதுரை திரும்பிய இந்துமுன்னணி நிறுவனர் வீரத்துறவி இராம. கோபாலன் அவர்களை பின் தொடர்ந்து வந்து மதுரை இரயில் நிலையத்தில் வைத்து வெட்டி கையும் களவுமாக பிடிபட்டவன் தான்… pic.twitter.com/BzqiiEPUdR
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) December 17, 2024
The controversy has once again brought to light the divisive politics surrounding minority appeasement and the challenges of balancing community interests with national security. Basha’s death, far from bringing closure, has reignited debates about his legacy and the role of political leaders in shaping narratives around convicted terrorists. With tensions running high, the Tamil Nadu government faces increasing pressure to address these issues and ensure that public displays glorifying individuals like Basha are not repeated.
