Agar Malwa, Madhya Pradesh: “Nathuram Godse was a deshbhakt, is a deshbhakt and will remain a deshbhakt”, said BJP’s Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur.
BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate for Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur yet again made the headlines, this time for her branding Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin a “patriot”.
“Godse was a deshbhakt, is a deshbhakt and will remain a deshbhakt. People calling him a terrorist should instead look within, such people will be given a fitting reply in the election,” Pragya Thakur told the media while campaigning in Agar Malwa in Madhya Pradesh.
Thakur’s controversial statement comes in response to Kamal Haasan’s remarks on Godse.
Actor-turned-politician, Mr. Haasan had called out Godse as Independent India’s first “Hindu” terrorist while campaigning in a Muslim dense constituency.
Ms. Thakur was in Agar Malwa for a roadshow in support of Mahendra Solanki, BJP candidate from the Dewas Lok Sabha seat, reported news agency PTI.
BJP disagrees, condemns Thakur’s statement
Responding to controversial statements by Thakur in a politically polarised and sensitive state like Madhya Pradesh, BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, said in a statement: “We completely disagree with her statement with regard to Mahatma Gandhi. We strongly condemn this statement. The party will seek clarification from her as to why she gave this. It would be proper for her to seek and tender a public apology for her objectionable statement.”
“The BJP does not agree with her statement. The party will talk to her under what circumstances she gave the statement,” said BJP for Madhya Pradesh.
“One who killed Mahatma Gandhi can’t be a deshbhakt,” said the state BJP media cell in charge Lokendra Parashar to PTI.
BJP, a descendant of Godse
Hitting out at Thakur’s statements, the Congress on Thursday alleged that insulting martyrs is in the BJP’s “DNA”. The party also demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress has also asked the Prime Minister to “punish” for upsetting remark by Thakur.
“It is clear, the BJP people are the descendants of Godse. BJP people say Godse was a patriot and martyr Hemant Karkare was a traitor. Culture of violence and insulting martyrs is the DNA of the BJP,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
“Modi-Amit Shah ji’s favourite BJP leader, Pragya Thakur once again insulted the whole nation by calling Gandhi’s killer, Nathuram Godse is a true patriot’,” he said in a statement.
The BJP, through its leaders, is repeatedly launching “malicious attacks” on the Father of the Nation’s thinking, path and ideology, Mr. Surjewala alleged.
“This is a conspiracy to insult Gandhian principles. This is an unforgivable crime which the country will not forgive,” he said.
“If Modi ji has some wisdom then he should punish Pragya Thakur and apologise to the country,” Mr. Surjewala said.
Stay tuned for more updates!
