Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist. The assassination of Gandhi was a turning point in Indian history, and it is still a topic of discussion and debate. The relationship between Gandhi and Godse was complex, and there are many unspoken truths that need to be explored. In this article, we will delve into the history of the relationship between Gandhi and Godse and try to understand the reasons behind the assassination.
Background
Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement. He was a firm believer in non-violence and led many peaceful protests against British rule. Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence inspired many people around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. However, not everyone was a fan of Gandhi’s philosophy. Nathuram Godse was one such person.
Nathuram Godse was born in 1910 in Pune, India. He was a member of the Hindu nationalist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and later joined the Hindu Mahasabha. Godse was a strong opponent of Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and believed that India should be a Hindu nation. He thought that Gandhi’s policies were appeasing Muslims and were detrimental to the interests of Hindus.
The Assassination
On January 30, 1948, Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi. Godse shot Gandhi three times at point-blank range, and Gandhi died instantly. Godse was arrested and put on trial for the assassination. During the trial, Godse admitted to killing Gandhi and explained his reasons for doing so.
Godse’s Reasons for Assassination
Nathuram Godse believed that Mahatma Gandhi’s policies were detrimental to the interests of Hindus. He thought that Gandhi’s policies were appeasing Muslims and were leading to the division of India. Godse believed that India should be a Hindu nation and that Gandhi’s policies were preventing this from happening. In his statement to the court, Godse said:
“I do say that my shots were fired at the person whose policy and action had brought rack and ruin and destruction to millions of Hindus. There was no legal machinery by which such an offender could be brought to book and for this reason, I fired those fatal shots.”
Godse’s statement shows that he believed that Gandhi’s policies were responsible for the suffering of Hindus. He thought that Gandhi was appeasing Muslims and was not doing enough to protect the interests of Hindus. Godse believed that killing Gandhi was necessary to protect the interests of Hindus.
The Complex Relationship Between Mahatma Gandhi and Godse
The relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse was complex. Gandhi and Godse had different ideologies, and they were on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Gandhi believed in non-violence and was a strong advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity. Godse, on the other hand, believed in the use of violence and thought that India should be a Hindu nation.
Despite their differences, Gandhi and Godse had some similarities. Both were born in Maharashtra and were from the same caste. They were both involved in the Indian independence movement, although they had different approaches. Gandhi believed in non-violent protests, while Godse believed in the use of violence.
Gandhi and Godse had met on several occasions, and they had even exchanged letters. In one of his letters to Godse, Gandhi wrote:
“I have no personal ill-will against you. I hope you will do me the honour of accepting my copy of the Gita.”
This letter shows that Gandhi did not have any personal animosity towards Godse, despite their ideological differences.
Exploring the Unspoken Truths of Mahatma Gandhi and Godse
The relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse is a complex one, and there are many unspoken truths that need to be explored. One of the unspoken truths is the role of the RSS in the assassination. The RSS was a Hindu nationalist organization that had close ties with the Hindu Mahasabha, of which Godse was a member. Some historians believe that the RSS was involved in the assassination of Gandhi. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
Another unspoken truth is the role of the British in the assassination. Some historians believe that the British were involved in the assassination of Gandhi. They argue that the British were unhappy with Gandhi’s policies and wanted to get rid of him. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
Conclusion
The relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse was complex, and there are many unspoken truths that need to be explored. The assassination of Gandhi was a turning point in Indian history, and it is still a topic of discussion and debate. The reasons behind the assassination are complex, and there are many different perspectives on the issue. However, it is important to remember that violence is never the answer, and that non-violence is the only way to achieve lasting peace.
https://qz.com/india/318647/why-did-nathuram-godse-kill-mahatma-gandhi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathuram_Godse
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60013807
https://www.france24.com/en/20191001-india-gandhi-150-anniversary-modi-legacy-birth-death
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/rajmohan-gandhi-textbook-deletions-mahatma-gandhi-8542909/
