Nathuram Godse : A hero or a Villain?

 

Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948, is an intriguing figure in Indian history. He has been variously labeled by historians and political commentators as a hero, a villain, a patriot and a villainous fanatic. To this day, the debate about Godse's actions and motivations continues to rage.

Godse was born in Pune, India in 1910 to a Brahmin family. He was an active member of the Hindu nationalist movement, which sought to create a Hindu state in India. He was a fierce critic of Gandhi's advocacy of non-violence and his promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity. He saw Gandhi as a betrayer of the Hindu cause and held him responsible for the partition of India in 1947. Godse believed that the only way to protect the Hindu religion and culture was to take direct action against Gandhi. He and his co-conspirator, Narayan Apte, planned to kill the Mahatma on January 30, 1948 at a prayer meeting in Delhi. After shooting Gandhi, Godse was arrested and later tried for murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Godse's supporters view him as a patriot who was trying to protect Hinduism from Gandhi's perceived betrayals. They see him as a hero who was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs. On the other hand, his detractors see him as a villainous fanatic with a misguided sense of justice. They argue that his actions were motivated by hatred and were not in the best interests of India. The debate over whether Nathuram Godse was a hero or a villain is likely to continue for many years to come. Whatever one's opinion may be, it is undeniable that he is a fascinating figure in Indian history who continues to inspire passionate debate.