Bengaluru: Because of his involvement in shooting the Father of the Nation dead in the year 1948, Nathuram Godse was convicted and hanged till death, as per the ruling of courts. 

However, opinions on him continue to pour in even after several decades of the implementation of the court’s order. 

While there are some who outright reject him, there are others who sympathise with him and even call him a patriot. 

The second cadre also includes MPs like Pragya Singh Thakur who have repeatedly and frequently eulogised him as a patriot, only ending up inviting the wrath of many so-called secularists. 

But there is more than meets the eye. The Shiva Sena, which is partnering with the Congress and the NCP to form a government in Maharashtra, too held identical views. In its mouthpiece Saamna, Uddhav Thackeray, the then editor-in-chief had himself hailed Godse as a patriot.  

The actual statement is here: 

"Pandit Nathuram Godse had not come from Italy, instead was a staunch patriot. His blood was boiling over Hindustan being divided and the killing of lakhs of Hindus during the partition."
Now to the current development. Congress has been in the vanguard of criticising Pragya Singh for hailing Godse. Under pressure, she even gave a statement of apology. However, Rahul Gandhi, the former AICC president went to the extent of calling her a “terrorist” and refuses to retract. 

 

The big question that emerges is: How can Congress form a government with Shiva Sena, the chief of which, Uddhav Thackeray, had openly extolled Godse? 

If what Thakur says is wrong, how can it defend what Uddhav Thackeray is saying? 

Shreenath Sheshadri, a BJP spokesperson says, “The Congress has joined hands with the Shiva Sena to form government in Maharashtra. If it can point fingers at BJP, how can it side with Shiva Sena?”