Educated Terrorist: The Conviction of IIT Graduate Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi for Attack on Gorakhnath Temple

RW MediaJanuary 31, 2023

Educated Terrorist: The Conviction of IIT Graduate Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi for Attack on Gorakhnath Temple

Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi, an IIT graduate, and a chemical engineer, was sentenced to death for his attack on the Gorakhnath temple. 

On a fateful day, he attempted to forcibly enter the temple and attacked policemen with a sickle.

On Monday, January 30th, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in India sentenced Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi to death for the attack on the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur in April of 2022. 

The NIA and Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) completed their investigation of the case in just nine months, and Abbasi was found guilty under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for waging war against the nation. 

The death penalty is only given in the rarest of rare cases in India, and has only been imposed eight times in the 21st century.

On April 3rd, 2022, Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi attacked police personnel outside the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, injuring two officers with a sharp weapon. 

The attack occurred a day before the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, was scheduled to visit the temple. Adityanath is also the head priest of the temple and has his personal accommodation on the premises.

Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi, sentenced to death, for the attack on the Gorakhnath temple.

He tried to forcibly enter Gorakhnath temple & attacked policemen with a sickle.

All those who link terrorism with illiteracy & poverty, kindly note that he is a Chemical engineer & IIT graduate. pic.twitter.com/uQi7Ns9H6O

— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) January 31, 2023

Days after the attack, a teacher at the Madarsa that Abbasi attended, Maulana Ilyasi, told the police that the accused was under the influence of black magic. 

However, doctors refuted the claim made by Abbasi's father that he was mentally unstable. Abbasi's interrogation revealed that he was attempting to develop a jihadi app called ‘Jarima’ at the behest of Islamic terror groups. 

In Arabic, the word ‘Jarima’ means ‘oppression.’

Abbasi now has the option to appeal the decision in higher courts. 

The case serves as a reminder of the severity of the consequences for those who engage in acts of terror and violence against the nation.

This incident sheds light on the notion that terrorism has no relation to the education or economic status. 

It dispels the myth that only those who are illiterate or come from poverty-stricken backgrounds engage in such activities.

 In fact, educated individuals like Abbasi have been known to carry out acts of terror.

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