The recent remarks by Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh calling Nathurdam Godse a “saput” (worthy son) of India has kicked another controversy. Opposition leaders came to the forefront criticising the minister's remarks.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said that Singh's remark was "communal".
"My reaction is total rejection of what Giriraj Singh said. He has made a communal statement, he praised a person who killed the father of the nation. 'Babar ki Aulad' is a term used by communal people...we reject it. He called Mughal emperors as the people against India," the MP told ANI.
Singh, who holds the rural development and panchayati raj portfolio said that if “Godse is Gandhi's killer, he is also the nation's son”.
"If Godse is Gandhi's killer, he is also the nation's son. He was born in India, and he was not an invader like Aurangzeb and Babar. Whosoever feels happy to be called the son of Babar, that person can't be the son of Bharat Mata," said Union Minister Singh.
“Giriraj Singh: Godse a ‘saput’ (worthy son) of India Assassin, born in India unlike the Mughals...By this statement many may not call you a ‘worthy son’of India...Assassins cannot be distinguished by their origin!...Hope the PM and Amit Shah condemn this statement,” tweeted Rajya Sabha Kapil Sibal.
Giriraj Singh :
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) June 10, 2023
Godse a ‘saput’ (worthy son) of India
Assassin, born in India unlike the Mughals
By this statement many may not call you a ‘worthy son’of India
Assassins cannot be distinguished by their origin !
Hope the PM and Amit Shah condemn this statement
Singh is currently touring the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. His remarks were heard in a video that surfaced the social media.
Recently, a political slugfest had erupted over social media posts regarding Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan.
Singh's remarks came after AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi attacked the BJP on the issue of violence in Kolhapur, love jihad and others.
While referring to the violence in Kolhapur during a public meeting on Thursday night, Owaisi said that “RSS people” hit the streets in the city after “someone carried a photo of Tipu Sultan”.
He also added that BJP and the Centre should release a list banning names like Tipu, Aurangzeb and Babur, like the ban on 44 organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The party should state that it will not include the names of Godse in the “prohibited list of names”, he said. “Now the matter has come to names also,” he added.
Referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reportedly saying "Aurangzeb ki aulad" (children of Aurangzeb), Owaisi asked as to who is "Godse ki aulad".
"Suddenly, in some districts of Maharashtra, sons of Aurangzeb took birth. They keep the status of Aurangzeb and show their posters. Because of this, there are tensions. Questions rise. Where do these sons of Aurangzeb come from? Who are behind this? We will find this out," Fadnavis told ANI.
Talking about 'love jihad', he said "If love jihad is happening in Maharashtra, give an estimate, a number, that this (incident) happened in Ahmednagar, this is what happened in Kolhapur, Sangli, western Maharashtra, Marathwada. Say that. (But) nothing. Love jihad is happening. Where is it happening.”
After violent clashes broke out between two groups in Kolhapur, a curfew was imposed on Wednesday.
