Case study on the response of HDH PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ on terrorist attack on
By
Piyush Dholariya
Akshaykumar Shah
1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are thankful to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and HDH Mahant Swami Maharaj who has given us
wisdom to do this task. We are thankful to BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, for giving us an
opportunity to research on this case study. We would like to thank Swami Aksharatitdas and
Swami Harichintandas and all saints of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Shahibaug for guiding and
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2 ABSTRACT
This is a case study on the response of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and his former spiritual
leader HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj on the terrorist attack of Gandhinagar Akshardham on
September 24, 2002. It is the horrible attack by the terrorists on the Hindu Temple in which
many devotees had lost their lives on that day. In this kind of tensed situation, how Pramukh
Swami Maharaj has responded, put a great example in front of the world and it will remain in the
memory of many as “Akshardham Response”. This case study will create a picture of that
incident in front of the reader and it will focus on the divine virtues of HDH Pramukh Swami
Maharaj.
This case study itself is divided in three parts to give clear understanding on the incident. First
part of it will put some light on BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha as well as on Bhagwan
Swaminarayan and his divine successors. This section will also put some light on Gandhinagar
Akshardham as well as Delhi Akshardham as an eternal as well as divine hindu temple. Second
part will focus on the sequence of events which was happened on that horrible day at
Gandhinagar. And at last third part will focus on the divine virtues of HDH Pramukh Swami
Maharaj by observing the reactions of him during and after this horrible event.
The main aim of this case study is to observe and extract divine virtues of HDH Pramukh Swami
Maharaj from this terrorist attack and put it in front of the world as an “ideal anti-terror
response”. [1]
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3 INDEX
1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 2
2 ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
3 INDEX ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
4 ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 6
5 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 7
4
7.3 THE HUMANITY .................................................................................................................................................22
9 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................... 35
5
4 ABBREVIATIONS
CE - Common Era
PM - Prime Minister
CM - Chief Minister
TV - Tele Vision
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5 INTRODUCTION
We are living in the world where how we react to the particular situation matters a lot. Our
response to certain things can create/make our life worthy while on the other side it can cause
enormous damage to us and our surroundings. There are many situations in a life in which our
reaction is important. Situational responses teaches us the most successful reactions to the
Akshardham-A Divine Hindu Temple which was inaugurated on October 30, 1992 by BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj [2]. To understand it more
clearly, this section will put some light on Swaminarayan Sampradaya and Bhagwan
Swaminarayan (1781-1830) [2] as well as it will put some informal introduction to the
Swaminarayan (1781 –1830), also known as Sahajanand Swami, is the central guru in a modern
Ghanshyam Pande in Chhapaiya, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1781. In 1792, he began a seven-year
pilgrimage across India at the age of 11 years, adopting the name Nilkanth Varni. During this
journey, he did welfare activities and after 9 years and 11 months of this journey, he settled in
the state of Gujarat around 1799. In 1800, he was initiated into the Uddhav sampradaya by his
guru, Swami Ramanand, and was given the name Sahajanand Swami. In 1802, his guru handed
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over the leadership of the Uddhav Sampraday to him before his death. Sahajanand Swami held a
gathering and taught the Swaminarayan Mantra. From that point onwards, he was known as
Swaminarayan. The Uddhav Sampraday became known as the Swaminarayan Sampraday [3].
5.2 BAPS
Bochasan Swaminarayan Sanstha or BSS), is a worldwide religious and civic organization within
the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism. BAPS was established as a formal organization on June
5, 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj. It was formed on the founder's doctrinal stand that Swaminarayan
had promised to remain manifest in the person of Akshar, a term used to describe his chief
devotee and Swaminarayan's abode. Due to the organizational emphasis on the doctrine, also
spelled as the "Akshar Purushottam" doctrine, it essentially forms part of the organization's
The fundamental beliefs of BAPS include the spiritual guidance through Akshar as the Gunatit
Guru who is believed to be in close proximity to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the necessity to
identify with the living Guru as a means to acquire oneness with Akshar and offer pure worship
in the lineage of Gunatit Gurus. He was succeeded by Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj,
Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj. HDH Mahant Swami
Maharaj is the current guru and spiritual leader of BAPS [4] [5].
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5.3 AKSHARDHAM
“Akshar” meaning indestructible, and “Dham” meaning abode or home. Hence whole word
Akshardham is believed to be the divine abode of Swaminarayan. We believe that the jiva or
inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the former spiritual head of BAPS [7].
The complex was inaugurated on October 30, 1992, and is a tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan
and his life and teachings. It is designed in accordance with the ancient Indian treatises on
architectural science: The Shilpa Shastras. The Shilpa Shastras have guided the mandir’s design
and construction from its distinctive style of carvings to its unique construction without the use
of a ferrous metal. The temple consists of 97 intricately carved pillars, 17 ornate domes, 220
stone beams, 57 stone screens, 3 porticos and 256 statues of spiritual personalities in Hinduism.
The temple reaches 108 feet into the sky, spans 131 feet in width, and is 240 feet long [7].
The Garbhgruh(inner sanctum) of the temple is home to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his divine
successors. The divine lineage includes Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji
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are God’s eternal servants and the ideals of saintliness and devotion. They reside in garbhgruh,
The abode of truth, beauty and auspiciousness, Akshardham has molded and remolded millions
of lives. 1st floor of garbhgruh, known as Swaminarayn Darshan [9], took the devotee into the
ancient times to visualize the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, whereas the basement of the
garbhgruh known as Prasadi Mandapam [10], gives devotee a chance to see various sacred things
Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India is a large Hindu temple complex inspired by
The complex was inaugurated on November 6, 2005, by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. This
temple was made from intricately carved sandstone and marble. It is designed in accordance with
the ancient Indian treatises on architectural science: The Shilpa Shastras. The Shilpa Shastras
have guided the mandir’s design and construction from its distinctive style of carvings to its
unique construction without the use of a ferrous metal. The temple consists of 234 intricately
carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangle spire and 20,000 statues of spiritual personalities
in Hinduism. The temple reaches 141.3 feet into the sky, spans 316 feet in width, and is 356 feet
long [12].
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The Garbhgruh(inner sanctum) of the temple is home to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his divine
successors. The divine lineage includes Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji
are God’s eternal servants and the ideals of saintliness and devotion. They reside in garbhgruh,
The interior of the temple is divided into nine mandapms or thematic spaces, filled with
intricately carved statues and pillars and capped by unique dome and ceilings [14]. The external
façade of a traditional stone temple is known as mandovar. This mandovar is the largest, most
intricately carved mandovar built in India in the last eight hundred years. A temple stands,
traditionally and symbolically, on the shoulders of the elephants, called “Gajendra Peeth” [15].
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6 THE ATTACK AND SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
At approximately 4:45 pm on September 24, 2002, a white car dropped two terrorists between
the ages of 20 and 25 carrying haversacks and jackets filled with automatic weapons and
When terrorists attempted to enter the Akshardham Temple Complex, the volunteers stopped the
armed terrorists for a security screening. Bypassing the screening, the terrorists jumped over the
7-foot high fence and started firing their guns as they began their rampage through the complex
[16].
They rushed towards the central walkway of the complex while firing shots at visitors and
pilgrims who were browsing a nearby bookstall and proceeded to the main temple while
As the Akshardham staff, including the temple supervisor, Khodsinh Jadhav witnessed this
shooting spree, they rushed across the 200-foot walkway and shut the 15-foot doors of the main
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temple. As a result, the terrorists were unable to infiltrate the main temple where 35 people were
At 4:48 p.m., three minutes after the attack began, Vishwavihari Swami, at the Akshardham
Temple Complex, made an SOS call to Chief Minister Narendra Modi's office and informed
them about the attack. Within minutes, Gandhinagar's district police chief R.R.Brahmbhatt was
on his way. Additionally, the State Commando force was instructed to also arrive at the
Meanwhile, outside of the Akshardham Temple Complex, local individuals mobilised into
volunteers. Chirag Patel helped bring out the injured individuals, while Pravin Shah supplied free
Thereafter, the terrorists, unable to infiltrate the main monument, moved towards the exhibition
halls. The volunteers had locked all the doors of the exhibition halls; however, the terrorists
Upon entering the hall, they fired shots at the audience, killing and wounding men, women and
children. Mihir (age 7), Moulik (age 4) and Mrunal (age 5) had gone to watch the multimedia
show at Akshardham with their grandparents, Pundrikbhai and Harshidaben Hathi. As the
terrorists fired shots, Mihir and Mrunal lost their brother Moulik and their grandparents [16].
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By 5:15 p.m., Narendra Modi called the Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani in Delhi and asked
for the National Security Guards (NSG), commonly referred to as Black Cat Commandos. The
terrorists left Exhibition Hall-1, as they entered, through the exit door, and climbed onto and hid
Within 10-15 minutes of the terror attack, police security guards and commandos had reached
the premises. The police and commandos escorted the visitors from around the complex to
safety, while volunteers helped transport the injured victims to nearby hospitals [16].
The police and commandos searched for the two terrorists, who were focused on retreating to an
alternative hiding spot. During this temporary halt, the police and commandos also guided the
remaining 100 visitors in Exhibition Hall-1 to a safe location outside of the complex [16].
At 7:30 pm, as the security guards guided 30 visitors from inside the main monument to safe
place, the terrorists, who had climbed atop the parikrama, the outer perimeter of the temple,
opened fire at the commandos. During this attack, no one was hurt. Since the commandos had
surrounded the area and continued the crossfire, the terrorist found it difficult to escape [16].
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6.5 NSG Commandos pursue and killed the terrorists
At 10:10 p.m., two buses of NSG commandos and one bus filled with NSG equipment arrived at
The search for the terrorists continued throughout the night. In the middle of the night, the
terrorists jumped down from the parikrama and entered a nearby bathroom. The National
Security Guards planned to pass the night until daybreak before attempted to flush out the
terrorists [16].
During this time period, they fired to draw fire from the terrorists and consequently exhaust their
ammunition supply. The officers tightly situated themselves around the Akshardham Temple
Complex. The National Security Guards were first in line, followed by men from the Rapid
Action Force, Border Security Force, State Reserve Police and the Anti-Terrorist Squad [16].
As the night progressed, the terrorists moved into another area, a grove of trees near exhibition
Hall-3. By daybreak, the terrorists became desperate and the firing continued. At approximately
6:45 am, the 14 hour-long ordeal ended with the Black Cat Commandos shooting the two
terrorists hiding in the bushes. During this overnight search for the attackers, one state police
officer and one commando lost their lives. Another commando, Surjan Singh Bhandari, was
seriously injured and died in May 2004, after being comatose for two years [16].
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The two militants who conducted the attack, namely, Murtuza Hafiz Yasin and Ashraf Ali
Mohammed Farooq were killed by National Security Guard commandos during the Akshardham
On 25 September 2002, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said that the attack on the
Akshardham Temple Complex in Gandhinagar, Gujarat was a well thought out conspiracy and
that the federal government will launch a thorough investigation and get to the bottom of it [16].
The head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, appealed to
maintain peace. The Gujarat government took the stance to maintain peace within the region and
Including The Prime Minister of India Mr. Vajpayee, the Deputy PM Mr. Advani, Governor of
Gujarat Mr. Sundersinh Bhandari and Chief Minister of Gujarat Mr. Narendra Modi, Heads of
the Muslim community in Ahmedabad also came to meet Pramukh Swami Maharaj to offer their
condolences and condemned the terrorist attack in Akshardham. BAPS also organized a
condolence meeting after the attack. The prayer assembly commenced with devotional prayers
sung by sadhus for the peace of the departed souls, grieving relatives and all sympathizers.Then
the entire gathering observed a 2-minute silent prayer for the deceased and injured, and for
harmony [16].
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Though nobody can compensate the family of the dead for their great loss, but as a token of
condolences and appreciation, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha donated to the families of the killed
people [16].
The Akshardham attack and its response became a case-study in the NSG.Brigadier Raj
Seetapathy, the NSG commando in-charge of the rescue mission “Operation Thunderbolt”,
asserted that the Akshardham response had become a benchmark of clock-work achievement.
The brigadier presented this case study, “Akshardham Response: How to challenge an attack
with calm and peace”, at various centers, including the Sardar Patel Police Academy in
Hyderabad and various Army training sessions. The Brigadier said "What Pramukh Swami
Maharaj did was unbelievable. He pieced society back together. The Akshardham tragedy
instilled a sense of confidence that Gujarat need not burn at every spark that is ignited. What I
observed after the operation was the calm and serenity that was quickly restored. I have faced
many violent encounters in my professional life but Akshardham response was a great learning
The brigadier said once the spiritual head decided to even purify the souls of the two terrorists,
volunteers and devotees immediately fell silent. There was no slogan shouting, no anger being
expressed for any community. It was one of the most magnanimous and exemplary acts of
restraint and responsibility that foiled the design of terrorists to spark more violence," the
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Reopening of the Temple Fourteen days after the terrorist attack, the Akshardham complex in
officials, increased security measures were taken to ensure the safety of the volunteers and
visitors, including stationing the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of Gujarat at the complex,
requiring visitors have to pass through a metal detector, increasing the height of the boundary
wall, and installing CCTV's around the campus [16] [17] [18].
The intense investigation began soon after terrorists attacked Akshardham on 24 September
2002. A short summary of the Akshardham Attack Case Verdict is provided below:
In July 2006, the POTA court awarded death sentence to Adam Ajmeri, Shan Miya alias Chand
Khan, who hails from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, and Mufti Abdul Qyyum Mansuri. While
Mohammed Salim Shaikh from Ahmedabad, was sentenced to life imprisonment, Abdulmiyan
Qadri got a 10-year term and Altaf Hussain five years [16].
In 2008, some of the convicts went on appeal in the High Court. On May 30, 2010, the Gujarat
High Court confirmed the death sentence awarded to three persons and prison terms to three.
Later in May 2014, a Supreme Court bench composed of Justices A K Patnaik and Venkate
Gopala Gowda acquitted all six persons, including those awarded the death penalty. The
Supreme Court slammed the Gujarat Police for the incompetence with which it investigated the
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case. The bench gave the decision holding that the prosecution failed to establish the guilt of the
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7 VIRTUES THAT SPEAKS
From the response of Akshardham attack, at every step of action/words of HDH Pramukh Swami
Maharaj, we can find a virtue. Some of the noted virtues are as below:
When the terrorists struck Akshardham, Pramukh Swami Maharaj's “sthitpragnata” (balance of
mind) was amazing. When the whole world was stunned and shocked with disbelief, disgust and
hatred at the cowardly act, Swamishri calmly prayed and set about reinstating things to normal.
He appealed to the devotees and citizens of Gujarat to remain calm and peaceful. He attended to
those who came to offer their condolences and to those who came to seek solace. Such resource
of equanimity is not found in ordinary human beings, but in people who are divine. The spiritual
virtues in a physically diminutive 82-year-old Pramukh Swami Maharaj amazed all [19].
Pramukh Swami Maharaj's unwavering steadiness and calmness in the midst of the carnage at
Akshardham and his appeal for peace thereafter is a living proof in our contemporary times of
the highest Hindu wisdom prescribed in our scriptures and of the great souls that lived in the
past. As long as we have sthitpragna souls like Pramukh Swami Maharaj there will be sanity,
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7.2 The ultimate faith in God
When the terrorists entered the Akshardham precincts at 4.45 p.m. and went on the rampage,
Vishwavihari Swami, the administrator of Akshardham, was informed of the attack on the
intercom telephone system. The District Superintendent of Police, Collector of Gandhinagar and
other officials were called for help. Thereafter, Vishwavihari Swami rang up Pramukh Swami
Maharaj in Sarangpur. At that time, Swamishri was engaged in a meeting regarding the BAPS
relief and rehabilitation projects in Kachchh. On hearing of the tragedy, Swamishri calmly
informed those before him, "Terrorists have entered Akshardham and they have killed many
people. Let us pray to God that no further killing takes place. May the terrorists be caught." And
Swami, Brahmavihari Swami and Nikhilesh Swami who had come for the meeting to rush back
to Gandhinagar. Swamishri told the 250 sadhus and 2000 devotees who had gathered for the
In a brave encounter with the terrorists, Surjan Singh was shot in the head. All his friends of the
National Security Guard were worried because of his critical state. Expert doctors at the Civil
Hospital were striving day and night to save him; but the case was difficult. The only additional
ingredient required to medical treatment was divine blessings. When Pramukh Swami Maharaj
learnt of the tragedy and the injured victims in Sarangpur, he began praying for their recovery.
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On Sunday September 29, 2002, Swamishri travelled from Sarangpur and arrived at 10.45 a.m.
at the renowned Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. He first met and blessed Surjan Singh who was in
the Neuro-ICU ward. When Swamishri arrived and blessed Surjan Singh; his response inspired
hope and optimism in all. While chanting the Swaminarayan mahamantra, Swamishri showered
sacred petals on Surjan Singh Bhandari. Then Swamishri started talking to him, "Look, Thakorji
(murti of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj) is here. You will get better. We are all praying for you."
Swaminarayan..." And the divine touch of Swamishri and the resonance of his prayers charged
Surjan Singh Bhandari. Then Swamishri appreciatively addressed the doctors, "Doctor Saheb!
Congratulations for taking great care of him. You will be blessed with immense merits and God
will profusely shower his grace upon you. Your services are really amazing..." [20].
Swamishri told the 250 sadhus and 2000 devotees who had gathered for the festival of Shastriji
Maharaj's shraddh to join in the prayers at Sarangpur after listening about this incident at
Akshardham. After the prayers, Swamishri became engaged, without a hint of the disturbance, in
a meeting with sadhus and devotees of Surat regarding the ongoing local construction of a BAPS
hospital. At 7.30 p.m., Swamishri went to the Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir and prayed by
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chanting the Swaminarayan dhun while performing circumambulation. He prayed, “May there be
Swamishri remained in Sarangpur for another four days after the tragedy due to ill health and
instructions from the state police. To look after the situation in Akshardham, Swamishri had sent
Dr. Swami and Ishwarcharan Swami. Under their guidance, Anandswarup Swami, Vishwavihari
Swami and other sadhus handled the post-attack responsibilities. On Swamishri's instruction, the
hospitalized victims at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad and their relatives were provided with
meals and fruits from the BAPS Mandir in Shahibaug. Dedicated doctors of BAPS, Dr. Bajadia,
Dr. Harshad Joshi, Dr. Bharat Panchal and others offered their services with the doctors of the
Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. At the Civil Hospital in Gandhinagar the patients were under the
On Sunday September 29, 2002, Swamishri travelled from Sarangpur to the Civil Hospital in
Ahmedabad and personally blessed and consoled more than 24 injured commandos, policemen
and visitors being treated in different wards. The victims and their relatives were moved by the
Despite his ailing health, Swamishri began the rounds to console the victims. Before arriving in
Ahmedabad, Swamishri had instructed the volunteers, “Be mindful that not a single victim is left
out. I want to meet each one of them, no matter how much time it takes...” After a while, at the
request of his attendant sadhu, Swamishri sat in a wheelchair and went from ward to ward
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blessing and sympathizing with the victims. At every bed he enquired, “What is your name?...
What is the name of your native village?... How were you hurt?... How do you feel now?... I am
praying for you, and you will get well... Swaminarayan...Swaminarayan... Be strong and
hopeful... Remember God and He will grace you... God (Thakorji) is here, so you will get well...
Swamishri then held a meeting with Dr Swami, Tyagvallabh Swami, Viveksagar Swami,
Narendraprasad Swami, Gnaneshwar Swami, Narayanmuni Swami and others to announce the
cancellation of Shastriji Maharaj's shraddh assembly the following day and transform it into a
memorial meeting. Swamishri then advised that the prasad of dudhpak that had already been
prepared be distributed to orphans and school children in the surrounding villages. He also
instructed that all BAPS centres in India and abroad should join in prayers on the day of shraddh
the following day. All the while, Swamishri's constant communication and suggestions provided
guidance and moral and emotional support to the sadhus in Akshardham [19].
Swamishri was, at the same time, concerned that the attack could spark off a communal
backlash. At 12.35 a.m. he got news by phone that Parameshwar Swami had become a fatal
victim of a terrorist's bullet. Swamishri grieved for his loss and to prevent any eruption of
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communal violence he urgently sent an appeal for peace and prayer to the print and electronic
media. The appeal played a major role for peace in the days to come [19].
For the next two days, Wednesday September 25 and Thursday September 26, the people of
India observed a strike to mourn and pay respects to the dead. All public services, offices and
businesses were closed in Gujarat, Mumbai and many other parts of India. The national strike
was a cause for concern for many leaders, for it could spark off violence on a national scale. But
Swamishri's appeal for peace had an overwhelming impact. The two-day strike was observed
peacefully and even in Ahmedabad, a communally sensitive city, there was no incident of
Tim Sullivan, the South Asia head for Associated Press, during his visit to Akshardham on
October 1, 2002 asked a Mandir official, “Whenever something of this sort happens in Gujarat
there is violence. Why has Gujarat remained peaceful this time?” The official replied, “Due to
Pramukh Swami's appeal the people of Gujarat have remained calm. For the last three decades
people have been witnessing the socio-spiritual services that Pramukh Swami Maharaj has been
performing in Gujarat. This includes the relief and rehabilitation services after the Kachchh
earthquake and the Orissa Cyclone, and services in the field of health, education, etc. People
know that he has been contributing for peace and betterment of society, and that is why people
have observed his appeal for restraint and peace.” “Is it only because of Swami's appeal that
there has been peace?” Tim asked. The official replied, “Other religious and political leaders
have appealed for peace but Pramukh Swami Maharaj's appeal has carried more weight because
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the incident took place on our own premises.” The leader of a popular Hindu organization told
Swamishri, “Swami if you had only signaled otherwise, then things would have been different.
There is peace in Gujarat and India because of your appeal. Through your powers of austerity
A social thinker lauded Swami's peace appeal, “Swamiji, you have saved Gujarat from another
The attack on an exquisite religious place like Akshardham and the killing of innocent men,
women and children was unbearable and intolerable for all. For those deeply dedicated to
circumstances how could one bear and tolerate such pain and injustice! But Swamishri's voice
resonated with words of peace, “It is a time to maintain peace and unity and offer sympathy.
Pray that such violence never occurs to anyone, in any part of the world.” [19]
The kshatriyas of a village in Saurashtra came to Swamishri in Sarangpur and told him about a
condolence meeting arranged by them. Swamishri advised, “Talk about peace and make sure
Nine years after the gruesome terrorist attack on Akshardham temple on September 24, 2002, the
rapid response of the National Security Group (NSG) in neutralizing the two terrorists in a matter
of a few hours and that of the Swaminarayan sect, which preaches peace in that tense situation, is
being cited as a case study to tackle such exigencies. Brigadier Raj Seetapathy, the NSG
26
commando in-charge of the rescue mission “Operation Thunderbolt”, asserts that the
Akshardham response has become a benchmark of clock-work achievement. The brigadier has
presented this case study, “Akshardham Response: How to challenge an attack with calm and
peace”, at various centres, including the Sardar Patel Police Academy in Hyderabad and various
Army training sessions. Today, after nine years when I think in retrospect, I feel things could
have got worse,” says the brigadier whose men landed at the temple four and half hours after the
attack and killed the two attackers in nine hours. But, more than the counter terror operation, the
brigadier is impressed by the manner in which the Pramukh Swami of BAPS, the Swaminarayan
sect which was targeted, reacted to a violent situation. What he did was unbelievable. He pieced
society backed together. The Akshardham tragedy instilled a sense of confidence that Gujarat
need not burn at every spark that is ignited. What I observed after the operation was the calm and
serenity that was quickly restored. I have faced many violent encounters in my professional life
but Akshardham response was a great learning both from operational and philosophical points of
view.” The brigadier says once the spiritual head decided to even purify the souls of the two
terrorists, volunteers and devotees immediately fell silent. There was no slogan shouting, no
anger being expressed for any community. It was one of the most magnanimous and exemplary
acts of restraint and responsibility that foiled the design of terrorists to spark more violence,” the
27
7.6 Composure and Approach
“Leading members of the intelligentsia are impressed by Pramukh Swami's call for peace. If
something like this had happened in one's own place, then the person concerned would have
given statement after statement to become popular. However, Pramukh Swami and his sadhus,
rather than issuing statements or reacting with anger, have remained silent and engaged in the
service of the victims. And to add more, instead of becoming emotionally paralyzed, the entire
7.7 Magnanimity
In a letter to the editor's section of The Times of India on October 8, 2002, Kaushik Joshi wrote,
“In the wake of the attack on Akshardham, Pramukh Swami has shown magnanimity by not
indulging in any blame game and imputing motives. Akshardham is his most priceless, splendid
and wonderful creation. Yet, he has been calm. His saintliness is very touching. His heart bleeds
A renowned Jain acharya, Pujya Shri Chandrashekharvijayji, wrote a letter to Swamishri, “An
idol of patronage, gem among saints and the highest devotee of God Swamishri Pramukh
Swamiji, “My heart is intensely shocked at the terrible turmoil that broke out on Akshardham.
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To ask you what pain must have afflicted you is improper because you are a saint who lives on a
sthitpragna level. You console devotees who come in tears to offer their condolences. This is the
7.9 Compassion
“Surjan Singh Bhandari! Look, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has come to see you. Your left leg is
now a lot better, so raise it...” instructed Dr Mahendra Parikh, a neurosurgeon, treating Surjan
Singh Bhandari. Surjan Singh Bhandari was lying in his bed with a vacant gaze. And then to
everyone's amazement and joy he raised his right and left legs. Swamishri happily blessed Surjan
Singh by touching his head, heart and feet. “Surjan, how many fingers do you have?” And Surjan
Pareshkumar of village Jithudi said, “My two friends and I visit Akshardham every 20-22 days.
We love going there. This time we were there by the games, sitting on a bench. The terrorists
were only five feet away from us. First we thought it was firecrackers. But then we realized the
fact. When we tried to face them, they threw a grenade and aimed their guns on us. We quickly
ran behind a wall to save ourselves and during that time I got shot in the leg. Still we were all
saved...” Swamishri replied, “Forgive us for the pain you are going through... God has saved
you... Here, have darshan of God. (Swamishri told the attendant sadhu to bring Thakorji nearer to
the patient so that he could touch His feet.) You will get well... and there will be peace in your
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Swamishri also met each and every injured policeman and commando who had bravely fought
the terrorists. After patiently hearing their accounts, he appreciated their services and blessed
them. When Swamishri came by the bed of State Reserve Police Commando Yogendrasinh
Rajput the doctor explained, “He was hit by a bullet that snapped the main artery supplying
blood to the brain. The bullet came out from the other side. Till yesterday he was on a ventilator.
Now he is able to breathe naturally.” The accompanying State Minister for Health, Ashokbhai
Bhatt, explained about the commando's progress in health, “Swamishri, the orange colour code
attached to this commando will be removed and he will be given a green one. Every victim has
been categorized with a colour code displayed on his bed. Black means the person is dead, red
denotes a case of emergency, then we have yellow; orange means the patient is still under
treatment and green means that he is well.” Swamishri was pleased to know that commando
Yogendrasinh was now well. Swamishri blessed him once again by placing his hand on him [20].
Thereafter, Swamishri came to Dashrathsinh Satpute, a hit commander of the NSG or Black Cat
Commandos, and blessed him by gently touching his bandaged arm. “How were you hit here?”
Swamishri enquired. Dashrathsinh explained, “I am a hit commander and my unit was slowly
advancing towards the terrorists. We were going by the wall till we reached its corner. I stood
there because after the corner was a dark open basement area. Behind me were my other hit
commando companions. Then I informed my commander, Brigadier Seetapathy, that there was a
dark basement area. He told me to go into the basement area with my unit and search it
thoroughly. So I raised this hand to signal to my companions to come with me. Instantly there
was a volley of fire from the terrorists and I got hit in my arm.” At this point of Dashrathsinh's
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narration, Ashokbhai Bhatt (Health Minister of Gujarat) said, “Swamiji, this commando and
another two injured were brought to the Civil Hospital in Gandhinagar. At that time I saw their
spirit. They told the doctors to tie a bandage immediately because they wished to return. We
allowed the other two to return, but we couldn't let him go back.” Swamishri appreciated the
spirit of Dashrathsinh by blessing him with the touch of his hand on his head [20].
Just as the spirit of the commandos can never be forgotten, similarly we can-not fail to omit the
one of the terrorists as they were ambling their way on the main pathway to the monument.
Before Swamishri came to him, Satubha, with a heavily bandaged arm, raised himself
enthusiastically to a sitting posture. When Swamishri arrived he narrated how he had responded.
Bapa! I did not retreat till I was shot by them. When I saw one of them, I got hold of him and
shouted, “Where are you going?” Bapa, you saved me. I have been serving in Akshardham for
many years. And once I get well, I'm coming back to serve in Akshardham...” Swamishri saluted
Swamishri's sympathy for the parents and relatives of the deceased state commando, Arjunsinh
Gameti, revived their spirits. The father of Arjunsinh, was quiet and still stunned by what had
happened. He spoke in a frenzied tone, “I have lost my son!” Swamishri was moved by the old
man's grief and sympathized, “Do not think otherwise. God will judge everyone. Your other son
will look after you and God will also help you. There is no cause to worry anymore. Your son
was in the service of our country and in serving God he is now in God's abode. Engage yourself
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in bhajan, worship and prayers to God. I shall pray that God grants you strength.” And with these
soothing words the old man was blessed with the divine touch of Swamishri's hand [20].
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8 THE CONCLUSION
Currently terrorism has raised a major question for entire globe, all nations and territories have
at-least once experienced terrorist event or attack. Same incident was happened at Gandhinagar
akshardham. Dead bodies and injured people were sporadically lied on the floor of holy
akshardham. When it comes to normal people, first reaction would be same revenge, but this
organization is something different, devotees and saints of BAPS are something different,
especially former president of BAPS, HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj is marvelously different.
First reaction of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the peace and remembrance of god.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj has put an example of steady wisdom in front of the world in such
terrific incident. To prevent the rioting or any other unwanted events he had suggested chanting
the name of god, Almighty God is there, he will protect the pious and will do good for all.
Reaction came apparently from the entire world from many people, precidents/prime ministers of
many nations. All have heartily appreciated the decision of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and
BAPS for keeping peace and endurance. That has proved that HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj
was living with all those qualities which was spoken in Shreemad Bhagvat. Those terrorists who
had killed and injured many innocent people, even for them HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj had
convey compassion and did pray for their salvation. It is the culmination of compassion and
kindness of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj who has shown towards them.
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Temple is a place where people came for a peace of mind and to purify their soul. The terrorists
has chosen the divine temple for such terrible inhuman act. They entered the campus of the
temple with worst thought in their mind to burn a spark that could destroy the communal unity of
Gujarat as well as of entire India. At the present time also we are witnessing lots of riots in
several parts of our country which are originating from a small spark and taking a huge form by
response and as a result these riots are destroying unity and sovereignty of our country by killing
and injuring so many innocent people of various communities. In this kind of situation response
to a situation matters a lot. Brigadier Raj Seetapathy has also mentioned in his interview and he
was greatly impressed by the response that HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj has given after the
attack, everyone was surprised by seeing that HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was praying for
those two terrorists where they were killed [21], by sprinkling the flowers and holy water to
purify the souls. If you look back and think quietly then you can figure it out that situation could
go worse, but by this magnanimous response, peace was maintained in Gujarat as well as in
India.
The response is being remembered till many years to save many lives during that time, as well as
a new approach to tackle the worst situation with endurance and peace.
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9 REFERENCES
ideal-anti-terror-response/articleshow/10135237.cms
http://akshardham.com/gujarat/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaminarayan_Sampraday
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bochasanwasi_Akshar_Purushottam_Swaminarayan_Sanstha
http://www.baps.org/About-
BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan/TheSpiritualLineage-
TheGuruParampara.aspx
https://www.thefullwiki.org/Akshardham_(philosophy)
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7. Mandir-Gandhinagar Akshardham. http://akshardham.com. [Online]
http://akshardham.com/gujarat/explore/mandir/
http://akshardham.com/gujarat/explore/mandir/garbhagruh/
http://akshardham.com/gujarat/explore/mandir/swaminarayan-darshan/
http://akshardham.com/gujarat/explore/mandir/prasadi-mandapam/
http://akshardham.com/explore/Mandir/
http://akshardham.com/explore/Mandir/garbhagruh/
http://akshardham.com/explore/Mandir/mandapams/
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15. Gajendra Peeth-New Delhi Akshardham. http://akshardham.com. [Online]
http://akshardham.com/explore/Mandir/gajendra-peeth/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akshardham_Temple_attack
17. Manas Dasgupta. Death sentence for Akshardham temple attack convicts upheld.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Death-sentence-for-Akshardham-temple-attack-
convicts-upheld/article16240281.ece
http://www.baps.org/Article/2011/Sthitpragna-Pramukh-Swami-Maharaj-2216.aspx
http://www.baps.org/EnlighteningEssays/2002/Swamishris-Compassion-2213.aspx
http://www.swaminarayan.org/essays/2002/2211.htm
21. Pramukh Swami prays for souls of terrorists who attacked Akshardham. The Times Of India.
akshardham-temple-showed-the-way-to-peace/articleshow/61476502.cms
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