Complaint Against Hindu Mahasabha For Setting up Godse ‘Temple’

Godse was hanged in Ambala jail for assassinating Gandhi. Hindu Mahasabha observed it as ‘balidan diwas’.

“Godse was a great nationalist,” says Hindu Mahasabha.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/sajjadbadshah)

A complaint was filed against the Hindu Mahasabha on 17 November, Friday in Indore for installing a bust of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse and consecrating it at its Gwalior office, news agency ANI reported.

The outfit kicked up a row on Wednesday after pulling the stunt, provoking demand by the Congress for booking the outfit for sedition.

The BJP, however, said the Congress should not lay "sole claim" to Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and if a law was violated by the Hindu Mahasabha, it would be dealt with accordingly.

Godse was hanged in Ambala jail on 15 November, 1949 which the organisation observed as 'balidan diwas' (the day of sacrifice).

Hindu Mahasabha national vice president Jaiveer Bharadwaj said a 32-inch tall bust of Godse was installed at its office in Daulatganj area of Gwalior city.

He said the ritual of pran pratishtha (consecration) was performed and panchamrit – a mixture of honey, liquid jaggery, milk, yogurt and ghee – was distributed as prasad to the worshippers. An arti was also performed.

Bharadwaj told PTI by phone that the Mahasabha had sought permission of the district administration to construct a temple to Godse on 9 November which was denied. He said now the 'temple' has been established at its office.

Nobody should have any objection to this as we have set up the temple in our own space. It is Mahasabha’s own property.

Jaiveer Bharadwaj, Hindu Mahasabha

Godse, he said, was a great nationalist, who was against the division of the country.

Congress Calls it Sedition

The Congress demanded that a sedition case be registered against the outfit.

This is a conspiracy to disgrace the Father of the Nation. On the one hand, Mahatma’s statue is burnt in Morena, while on the other Hindu Mahasabha has established the temple of Bapu’s killer in Gwalior. We demand that a case of sedition be filed against these people

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Singh

Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was also critical of the development.

"A temple of Bapu's killer is being established just under the nose of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who pretended to be fasting using the name of Gandhiji. This is a shameful and condemnable act," Scindia tweeted

(With inputs from PTI)