A heated political confrontation has erupted in India following the emergence of a controversial video showing Dr Umar un-Nabi, the Red Fort bomber, defending suicide attacks. The video, which has gone viral on social media, has prompted sharp accusations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the Congress party and its allies, while the Congress has urged restraint and cautioned against politicising an ongoing investigation.

The controversy stems from a one-minute, 20-second video clip of Dr Umar un-Nabi, who carried out a vehicle-borne suicide bombing outside Delhi’s historic Red Fort on November 10. The attack, which involved an explosive-laden Hyundai i20, resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and left several others injured. The video shows Nabi delivering a monologue in English in which he defends suicide bombing, likening it to an act of “martyrdom.” Believed to have been recorded in April, the clip was recovered from a damaged mobile phone found in a waterbody near his residence in Koil, Pulwama, and has since become a focal point of national debate.

According to investigators, Nabi had handed the phone to his brother, Zahoor Illahi, during a visit between September and October, instructing him to dispose of it in case he “ever heard news” about him. Following Illahi’s detention, he revealed the existence of the phone to authorities, allowing forensic experts to extract the video along with other data. While no agency has officially confirmed the retrieval of the video, officials involved in the probe described it as “crucial evidence,” and it is now being examined as part of the larger investigation into the Red Fort attack. Arrested members of the so-called “white-collar” module are also expected to be questioned about the reasons behind recording the video.

The BJP, seizing on the video’s release, launched a strong political attack against the Congress and its allies. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a senior BJP leader, claimed that the bomber’s defence of suicide bombing “is not an accident” but rather the outcome of what he called the “dangerous, shameless politics” of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. Chandrasekhar further alleged that alliances formed by the Congress with leftist parties such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other organisations, including the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Jamaat-e-Islami in Kerala, have created a fertile ground for radicalisation among Muslim youth.

“This shameless politics lets Hamas spread hate in Kerala,” Chandrasekhar wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rahul Gandhi “look away” from the situation. He described such alliances and policies as antithetical to the principles of secularism, coining the term “#APAKADAMPolitics” to underscore what he described as irresponsible political behaviour that threatens national security. Chandrasekhar also warned that the radicalisation of Muslim youth poses a danger to all Indians, emphasizing the need for political change in Kerala.

The Congress, however, has sought to distance itself from the BJP’s accusations, urging caution until investigations are complete. Senior Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera emphasised that it was inappropriate to draw political conclusions while law enforcement agencies continue their inquiry. “Let us wait for the investigation to get over,” Khera said, highlighting the need for evidence-based conclusions rather than politically motivated narratives. The Congress’s response reflects the party’s effort to maintain a measured stance amid rising tensions, calling for restraint in public discourse until forensic analyses and official findings are concluded.

Investigators have already confirmed significant details regarding the Red Fort attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has established that Dr Umar un-Nabi, a Faridabad-based doctor affiliated with Al Falah University, executed the vehicle-borne suicide bombing. His identity was confirmed through DNA samples matched with his mother. Following this confirmation, Nabi’s two brothers and mother were taken into custody for questioning. Alongside Nabi, three other doctors—Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Dr Shaheen Shahid, and Dr Adeel Rather—have been arrested in connection with the plot. Investigators suspect that Dr Adeel Rather’s brother, Dr Muzzaffar, may be in Afghanistan, and they are also searching for Dr Nissar ul-Hassan, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Several other doctors associated with the institutions where the accused studied or worked have been questioned as part of the probe, highlighting a network of individuals linked to the attack.

The political ramifications of the video and the attack have been significant. The BJP has sought to frame the incident not merely as a law-and-order issue but as indicative of broader political failures and alliances it perceives as fostering radicalisation. By highlighting the alleged connections between the Congress, regional political parties, and organisations accused of promoting extremist ideologies, BJP leaders are attempting to create a narrative that links political affiliations to national security threats. The focus on Kerala, in particular, underscores the BJP’s strategy of emphasising regional politics and alleged lapses in governance as contributing factors to radicalisation.

In contrast, the Congress’s measured response reflects an emphasis on procedural integrity and the importance of relying on investigative findings rather than speculation. By avoiding immediate political attacks, Congress leaders aim to prevent further polarisation while maintaining credibility in the eyes of the public. Analysts suggest that this approach also seeks to prevent the diversion of public attention from the investigative process, which remains ongoing and critical to establishing the full chain of events behind the Red Fort attack.

The video’s contents have raised broader questions about the methods and motivations of individuals involved in terrorist activities. Dr Umar un-Nabi’s articulation of suicide bombing as a form of martyrdom provides insight into the ideological framework that may drive such attacks. Experts in counter-terrorism suggest that videos like these are often used to propagate extremist ideologies, recruit sympathisers, and justify acts of violence. The recovery of the video, despite the phone being damaged and discarded, underscores the investigative challenges faced by authorities in tracing and analysing digital evidence crucial to preventing future attacks.

Law enforcement officials emphasise that while the video is a significant piece of evidence, its authenticity and context are still being rigorously examined. The NIA and other investigative agencies are scrutinising the video for metadata, background context, and any connections to broader networks that may have influenced the bomber. At the same time, authorities are questioning other individuals associated with the accused to understand the operational planning, financing, and recruitment processes that led to the attack.

The incident also highlights the complex interplay between security, politics, and public perception in India. High-profile attacks, particularly in symbolic locations such as the Red Fort, carry the potential to inflame communal tensions and influence electoral politics. Political parties, therefore, often respond rapidly to shape narratives, sometimes prioritising political gain over cautious deliberation. Analysts warn that such dynamics can complicate investigations and may inadvertently contribute to societal divisions if statements are made prematurely.

In summary, the viral video of Dr Umar un-Nabi defending suicide bombing has intensified political conflict in India, pitting the BJP against the Congress in a debate that intertwines national security, ideology, and regional politics. While the BJP has linked the bomber’s actions to alleged failures and alliances of the Congress and its regional partners, the Congress has urged restraint, advocating for reliance on investigative outcomes. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue to meticulously examine the evidence, arrest suspects, and probe networks associated with the attack to prevent further acts of terrorism.

As the investigation unfolds, the political discourse surrounding the Red Fort bombing is likely to remain charged, reflecting the deep-seated tensions between national security imperatives and political narratives. Analysts suggest that the coming weeks will be critical, both in terms of the forensic and intelligence findings and in shaping how political parties, media, and the public respond to acts of terrorism and their ideological underpinnings. The case underscores the challenges facing India in balancing the pursuit of justice, counter-terrorism measures, and the maintenance of social cohesion amid politically sensitive events.

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