Red Fort Blast Video Sparks BJP–Congress Clash Over Radicalisation Claims

A fierce political confrontation broke out on Tuesday after a video surfaced showing Red Fort blast accused Dr Umar un Nabi endorsing suicide attacks. The BJP blamed the Congress and its allies for creating conditions that allow radicalisation, while the Congress urged all sides to avoid premature political commentary until the investigation is complete.

BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar intensified his criticism, arguing that the bomber’s justification of suicide missions was not incidental but a consequence of what he called the “dangerous politics” practiced by the Congress, Rahul Gandhi, and their INDI bloc partners. He alleged that alliances involving the Congress, CPM, SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami in Kerala had contributed to radicalising Muslim youth. In a post on X, he claimed such politics enabled extremist ideas to spread unchecked, accusing leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan and Rahul Gandhi of turning a blind eye.

Chandrasekhar had earlier warned that rising radicalisation among Muslim youth was a nationwide threat and stressed the need for political change in Kerala.

The Congress responded through spokesperson Pawan Khera, who said the party would refrain from commenting until the investigation reached its conclusion.

Investigators meanwhile examined the controversial one-minute-20-second video, believed to have been recorded in April. In it, Umar un Nabi, who drove the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 that detonated outside the Red Fort on November 10 and killed at least 12 people, delivers an English monologue justifying suicide attacks as “martyrdom.” The footage was recovered from a damaged mobile phone retrieved from a waterbody near his Pulwama home. Nabi had given the phone to his brother, instructing him to dispose of it if anything happened to him. After the brother’s detention, he disclosed its whereabouts, allowing investigators to extract the data.

Although no agency has officially confirmed the recovery of the video and its authenticity remains unverified, officials familiar with the probe said it is being treated as key evidence. Investigators also plan to question the arrested members of the so-called “white-collar” terror module about the purpose behind the recording.

The National Investigation Agency has already confirmed that Umar un Nabi, a Faridabad-based doctor from Al Falah University, carried out the suicide bombing, based on DNA samples matched to his mother. His mother and two brothers have been detained. Three other doctors—Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Dr Shaheen Shahid and Dr Adeel Rather—have been arrested, while inquiries continue into additional suspects, including a doctor believed to be in Afghanistan and another individual still at large.