Nathuram Godse's Perspective on Gandhi and India: A Review of Why I Killed Gandhi
Why I Killed Gandhi by Nathuram Godse Ebook Free
On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation and the leader of the freedom movement, was shot dead by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist, at a prayer meeting in Delhi. The assassination shocked and saddened millions of people in India and around the world, who revered Gandhi as a symbol of peace, truth and non-violence. But what drove Godse to commit such a heinous act? What were his reasons and motives for killing Gandhi? And how did he justify his actions in his own words?
why i killed gandhi by nathuram godse ebook free download
In this article, we will explore the controversial book "Why I Killed Gandhi" by Nathuram Godse, which contains his statement in court during his trial, as well as his background, ideology and perspective on Gandhi and India. We will also look at how the book was banned by the Indian government, how it was circulated and accessed by the public, and how it sparked debates and discussions on the role and legacy of Gandhi and Godse in Indian history and politics. Finally, we will evaluate the impact and relevance of the book in today's context, and invite you to read it for yourself for free.
Introduction
Who was Nathuram Godse?
Nathuram Vinayak Godse was born on May 19, 1910, in a Brahmin family in Pune, Maharashtra. He was influenced by Hindu nationalist organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Hindu Mahasabha, which opposed British rule and Muslim separatism in India. He became an editor of a newspaper called "Hindu Rashtra", which propagated Hindu supremacy and criticized Gandhi's policies. He also joined a militant group called the Hindu Rashtra Dal, which was involved in violent attacks against Muslims and other minorities.
What was his motive for assassinating Gandhi?
Godse was a staunch opponent of Gandhi's non-violence and appeasement policies towards Muslims, especially during the Partition of India in 1947, which resulted in millions of deaths and displacements on both sides of the border. He blamed Gandhi for being responsible for the division of India into two nations: India and Pakistan. He also accused Gandhi of being biased towards Muslims and neglecting the interests and rights of Hindus. He believed that Gandhi had betrayed the Hindu cause and endangered the security and integrity of India.
How did he plan and execute the murder?
Godse had attempted to kill Gandhi several times before, but failed due to various reasons. He finally succeeded on January 30, 1948, when he joined a crowd of people who had gathered to attend Gandhi's evening prayer at Birla House in Delhi. He managed to get close to Gandhi, who was walking towards the podium with his grandnieces. He bowed to Gandhi, and then fired three bullets from a Beretta pistol at point-blank range, hitting him in the chest. Gandhi collapsed and died shortly after, uttering his last words: "Hey Ram" (Oh God).
Main Body
The controversial book and its ban
How the book was written and published
After his arrest, Godse was tried for murder along with eight other co-conspirators. During the trial, he was allowed to make a statement in his defense, which lasted for five hours. He explained his reasons and motives for killing Gandhi, and also gave his views on various aspects of Indian history, politics and society. His statement was recorded by a journalist named Gopal Godse, who was his brother and one of the accused. The statement was later edited and published as a book titled "Why I Killed Gandhi" by Gopal Godse in 1960.
Why the book was banned by the Indian government
The book was banned by the Indian government soon after its publication, on the grounds that it violated the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits the incitement of hatred and violence against any community or individual. The government also argued that the book could disturb the public peace and order, and hurt the sentiments of the followers of Gandhi. The ban was challenged by Gopal Godse in the Bombay High Court, which upheld it in 1961. The ban was lifted in 1968 by the Supreme Court of India, which ruled that the book did not constitute a threat to national security or public harmony.
How the book was circulated and accessed by the public
Despite the ban, the book was widely circulated and accessed by the public, especially among the supporters and sympathizers of Godse. The book was smuggled from abroad, printed in secret presses, distributed through underground networks, and sold in black markets. The book was also available online, in various languages, on various websites and platforms. The book attracted curiosity and interest from many readers, who wanted to know the other side of the story, and understand the mind and motives of the assassin.
The arguments and claims of Godse
His critique of Gandhi's non-violence and appeasement policies
One of the main arguments of Godse in his book is that Gandhi's non-violence and appeasement policies towards Muslims were detrimental to India's interests and unity. He claimed that Gandhi's non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements against British rule were ineffective and counterproductive, as they only provoked more repression and violence from the colonial authorities. He also claimed that Gandhi's support for Muslim demands such as the Khilafat movement, the separate electorates, and the Partition of India were unjustified and unfair to Hindus, who formed the majority of India's population. He argued that Gandhi's policies led to more communal riots, massacres, migrations, and conflicts between Hindus and Muslims.
His justification of violence as a patriotic duty
Another argument of Godse in his book is that violence is sometimes necessary and justified as a patriotic duty to protect one's country and religion from external or internal enemies. He cited examples from Hindu scriptures and history, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, where violence was used as a means to achieve justice and righteousness. He also cited examples from world history, such as the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the World Wars, where violence was used as a means to achieve freedom and democracy. He contended that violence is not inherently evil or immoral, but depends on the context and intention behind it.
His defense of Hindu nationalism and communal harmony
A third argument of Godse in his book is that Hindu nationalism is not a form of fanaticism or extremism, but a legitimate expression of pride and identity for Hindus, who have been oppressed and persecuted by foreign invaders and rulers for centuries. He asserted that Hinduism is not a narrow or exclusive religion, but a broad and inclusive way of life that respects diversity and pluralism. He maintained that Hindu nationalism is compatible with communal harmony and national integration, as long as other communities respect Hindu culture and values. He insisted that he was not against Muslims or any other community, but only against those who threatened or harmed India or Hinduism.
The reactions and responses to the book
The condemnation and criticism of Godse's views
The support and sympathy for Godse's actions
The book also received some support and sympathy from certain sections of society, especially from those who shared Godse's ideology and grievances. They praised Godse's views as honest, courageous, patriotic, and justified. They agreed with his arguments as valid, rational, factual, and reasonable. They defended his actions as heroic, noble, sacrificial, and necessary. They regarded him as a martyr, a savior, a saint, and a role model.
The debate and dialogue on the legacy of Gandhi and Godse
The book also sparked a debate and dialogue on the legacy of Gandhi and Godse in India's history and politics. The book raised questions such as: Was Gandhi a saint or a sinner? Was Godse a villain or a victim? Was Gandhi's non-violence a strength or a weakness? Was Godse's violence a crime or a duty? Was Gandhi's appeasement a virtue or a vice? Was Godse's nationalism a boon or a bane? The book challenged the dominant narrative of Gandhi as the undisputed hero and Godse as the unquestioned villain of India's independence struggle. The book invited the readers to rethink and reevaluate their views on Gandhi and Godse, and their roles and impacts on India's past, present, and future.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have explored the controversial book "Why I Killed Gandhi" by Nathuram Godse, which contains his statement in court during his trial for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948. We have looked at how the book was written and published, how it was banned by the Indian government, how it was circulated and accessed by the public, how it presented Godse's arguments and claims for killing Gandhi, and how it elicited reactions and responses from various quarters. We have also examined how the book generated debates and discussions on the legacy of Gandhi and Godse in India's history and politics.
Evaluation of the book's impact and relevance
The book has had a significant impact and relevance on India's society and culture, as it has influenced the opinions and attitudes of many people towards Gandhi and Godse, as well as towards issues such as non-violence, violence, appeasement, nationalism, communalism, secularism, democracy, etc. The book has also been a source of controversy and conflict, as it has provoked protests and lawsuits from those who oppose it, and admiration and appreciation from those who support it. The book has also been a subject of curiosity and interest, as it has offered an alternative perspective and insight into one of the most important events and personalities in India's history.
Call to action for the readers
The book is not meant to be taken at face value or accepted uncritically. The book is meant to be read with an open mind and a critical eye. The book is meant to be analyzed with logic and evidence. The book is meant to be evaluated with ethics and values. The book is meant to be understood with empathy and compassion. The book is meant to be discussed with respect and civility. The book is meant to be learned from with humility and wisdom.
If you are interested in reading the book for yourself for free, you can download it from this link: https://archive.org/details/WhyIKilledGandhiByNathuramGodseEbookFree/page/n1/mode/2up
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative and engaging. If you have any comments or questions about the book or the article, please feel free to share them with us in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the book "Why I Killed Gandhi" by Nathuram Godse:
Q: When was Nathuram Godse hanged for killing Gandhi?
A: Nathuram Godse was hanged on November 15, 1949 at Ambala Jail in Punjab.
Q: Who were the other co-conspirators who were tried along with Godse?
A: The other co-conspirators who were tried along with Godse were Narayan Apte (who was also hanged), Vishnu Karkare, Madanlal Pahwa, Digambar Badge, Gopal Godse, Shankar Kistaiya, and Vinayak Savarkar (who was acquitted).
Q: What was the name of the judge who presided over the trial of Godse and his associates?
A: The name of the judge who presided over the trial of Godse and his associates was Justice Atma Charan.
Q: What was the name of the lawyer who defended Godse in court?
A: The name of the lawyer who defended Godse in court was Ram Jethmalani, who later became a famous politician and jurist.
Q: What was the name of the book that Gandhi was reading before he was shot by Godse?
A: The name of the book that Gandhi was reading before he was shot by Godse was "The Golden Bough" by James Frazer, which is a study of comparative mythology and religion.
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