The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister Vijay released five men convicted for orchestrating the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts on 60-day parole. Authorities cited personal reasons and health conditions, noting the convicts—Mohammed Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Monappa alias Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Ajam, and Nawab Khan—have already served 25 to 30 years in prison.
The move triggered immediate backlash from the state BJP, which labeled the decision an "insult to the dead and a betrayal of the living." Spokesperson Narayan Thirupathy condemned the TVK-led administration in a post on X, arguing that "personal grounds cannot override the gravity of a terror attack that remains one of the darkest chapters in the state's history."
The original attack, carried out by the banned Al-Umma terrorist organization, consisted of 12 coordinated explosions intended to assassinate BJP leader LK Advani during an election rally. The Supreme Court previously described the crime as "atrocious" and refused bail to the convicts, highlighting the severity of the legal precedent.
Thirupathy warned that granting leniency to those who "wage a war on society" sets a dangerous precedent for public security. The BJP has formally demanded the immediate cancellation of the parole orders and insists no further concessions be extended to Al-Umma convicts. The matter now rests with the state home department as political pressure mounts for a swift reversal.