Let’s popularise Gandhi’s ideals: PM; Godse bhakts have a very different plan

School children at Rajghat on Martyrs’ Day, observed to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, in New Delhi on Sunday. Pic/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 74th death anniversary, saying it is our collective endeavour to further popularise his noble ideals.

Gandhi was shot dead on this day in 1948 by Nathuram Godse. The Father of the Nation's death anniversary is observed as Martyrs' Day.

"Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. It is our collective endeavour to further popularise his noble ideals," Modi tweeted.

"Today, on Martyrs' Day, paying homage to all the greats who courageously safeguarded our nation. Their service and bravery will always be remembered," he said.

Hate speech giver feted

In sharp contrast, the Hindu Mahasabha paid tribute to Godse and a co-accused in the Gandhi murder trial, Narayan Apte, in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior by observing "Godse-Apte Smriti Diwas".

The right-wing organisation also bestowed "Godse-Apte Bharat Ratna" upon jailed religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj (in pic), who was arrested last December for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Mahatma during a Dharma Sansad held Raipur.

Hindu Mahasabha's national vice president Jaiveer Bharadwaj said in Gwalior, "People should not be misled into believing that India got independence due to charkha (spinning wheel popularised by Mahatma Gandhi)."

He said the Congress and BJP didn't inform the people about the sacrifice made by seers and "seven lakh people who lost their lives during the freedom struggle".

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