This demand follows recent comments by Union minister Giriraj Singh and former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat, with the Congress highlighting the contradiction between the BJP leaders' praise for Godse and Prime Minister Modi's acts of reverence towards Gandhi.
The Congress party has strongly objected to the remarks made by BJP leaders "glorifying" Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. On Saturday, the opposition party called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to either expel the "devotees" of Godse from his party or end the "sham" of paying tribute to Gandhi's statues.
The demand from the Congress comes in response to recent comments made by Union minister Giriraj Singh, who referred to Godse as a "saput" (worthy son) of India. Former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat had also called Godse a "patriot" earlier this week.
Expressing their concern, the Congress pointed out that while senior BJP leaders praise Godse, Prime Minister Modi remains silent and takes no action against them. In a tweet in Hindi, the Congress challenged PM Modi, stating, "Throw out Godse devotees from your party or end the sham of bowing down before Gandhiji. There is no place for worshippers of Godse in this country of Gandhiji. Modiji, you have to decide."
The Congress further shared a picture of Prime Minister Modi bowing before a bust of Mahatma Gandhi during his recent visit to Japan, highlighting the contradiction between the BJP leaders' statements and the Prime Minister's acts of reverence towards Gandhi.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate raised pertinent questions, asking why BJP leaders continue to glorify Godse while PM Modi, who derives legitimacy from Gandhi both within India and overseas, remains silent. She emphasized the stark contrast between Gandhi's principles of truth, non-violence, and love, and Godse's association with violence, hatred, and lies. Shrinate urged PM Modi to take cognizance of the situation and questioned his silence on the matter.
Union minister Giriraj Singh's recent remarks defending Godse stirred controversy as he labeled the assassin a "worthy son" of India. Singh stated that unlike Mughal rulers Babur and Aurangzeb, Godse was born in India, emphasizing the distinction between those who identify themselves as children of invaders versus true sons of Mother India.
In response, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal criticized the BJP, stating, "Celebrating the killer of Mahatma Gandhi is an anti-national act." Venugopal condemned the recent statements made by Giriraj Singh and former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat, asserting that their views reflected the mindset of the BJP. He also noted the Prime Minister's silence on the matter, which, in Venugopal's opinion, implied his approval of their words.
(With PTI Inputs)