CHENNAI: The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is witnessing intense friction following the C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government’s decision to grant 60 days of parole to five convicts serving life imprisonment for their role in the horrific 1998 Coimbatore serial bombings. The move has drawn sharp, unsparing criticism from the BJP, Hindu Munnani, VHP, and various nationalist groups, who have labelled the development as blatant terror appeasement.
BREAKING 🚨
VIJAY’S TVK GOVERNMENT GRANTS 60-DAY PAROLE TO 5 CONVICTS IN THE 1998 COIMBATORE BOMB BLAST CASE!
Muhammad Hassan
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Azam
Muhammad Ansari
NawabkhanThe Al-Umma-linked convicts were serving life sentences for the terror blasts that killed 58…
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 21, 2026
According to prison officials, the five convicts lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison—identified as Mohammed Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Monappa alias Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Ajam, and Nawab Khan, aged between 46 and 55—had petitioned for parole citing personal and health grounds. While their petitions were cleared earlier this year, their release had been kept on hold during the Assembly elections before being formally approved.
58 பேர்களை குண்டு வைத்துக் கொன்றவர்களை தியாகிகளாக கொண்டாடும் மாநிலமாக தமிழகம் மாறிவிட்டது. நடுநிலை பேசும் இந்துக்களே அனைவரும் சிந்திக்க வேண்டிய காலம் உணருங்கள்….. pic.twitter.com/YQuYwxjpXc
— Krishnaraj (@Krishna73674119) October 21, 2026
The decision has reopened deep historical wounds. On February 14, 1998, a series of coordinated, communally charged bomb blasts rocked Coimbatore ahead of an election meeting slated to be addressed by veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, who narrowly escaped the tragedy (View Source). The blasts claimed 58 lives and left over 200 people injured. Judicial proceedings resulted in 158 convictions in 2007, with 43 individuals handed life terms. The attacks were orchestrated by the banned outfit Al-Umma, whose founder S.A. Basha and general secretary Mohammed Ansari were among those convicted.
Political Crossfire and Condemnation
The state government’s decision has triggered massive backlash from opposition leaders. TN BJP Chief State Spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy vehemently opposed the move, stating, “Only because they are Muslims, they are not Muslim prisoners, they are terrorists. They have killed civilians… they are very dangerous. It is done to satisfy Muslims… I demand that the order should be taken back.”
Senior BJP leaders, including state president Nainar Nagenthran and treasurer S.R. Sekhar, echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the Supreme Court had previously categorized the bombings as a “most heinous” crime and repeatedly denied bail, making a 60-day release an insult to the victims and their families. Critics have also questioned why a similar yardstick of leniency is rarely extended to undertrials or prisoners belonging to other communities languishing in jails for lesser offenses without legal backing.
