‘Who Was Godse?’ Asks Twitter After PM’s ‘No Hindu Terror’ Remark

“Is there a single incident in the history of thousands of years of Hindus engaging in terrorism?” Modi had said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments attacking the Congress for allegedly linking “peace-loving Hindus” to terrorism at a rally in Maharashtra’s Wardha on Monday, 1 April, has generated quite a stir on social media.

Soon after his comments surfaced, people took to Twitter to remind the prime minister of the terrorist acts ‘committed by Hindus’ even while indicating that terrorism has no religion.

Slamming the Congress for the 'Hindu terror' metaphor, Modi had on Monday charged the Opposition party with insulting "peace-loving" followers of the religion by linking them to terrorism.

“The Congress tried to stain crores of the country’s people using the term Hindu terror. Tell me, weren’t you deeply hurt when you heard the term ‘Hindu terror’? Is there a single incident in the history of thousands of years of Hindus engaging in terrorism?”

PM Modi in Wardha

The Godse Debate

In response to Modi’s comments, references were especially made to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by right-wing Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse.

Addressing a public meeting, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said:

“The one who killed Mahatma Gandhi, what was he? Nathuram Godse. Was he Owaisi’s brother? Who was he? Was he not a terrorist? Speak up Modi. Who was Nathuram Godse? You won’t say it because you know you are trapped here. Mr Modi, you are weakening India by talking about Hindus and Muslims.”

Asaduddin Owaisi

Social media users too brought up Godse after the prime minister’s ‘no Hindu terror’ remark.

However, one user also pointed that Godse’s assassination was for political reasons, indicating that it shouldn’t be linked to Hinduism.

The PM’s speech was also fact-checked.

Though not naming Congress President Rahul Gandhi who has decided to contest the Lok Sabha election from Kerala’s Wayanad, Modi had also said on Monday that the Congress is scared to field its leaders from constituencies where majority dominates in terms of voter-base.

"They linked peace-loving Hindus to terrorism... they are scared now to contest election from constituency where majority population dominates... they are forced to go where majority (Hindus) are in minority," he said.

(With inputs from PTI.)