Nathuram Godse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathuram Vinayak Godse
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Godse at his trial for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948
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| Born |
Ramachandra Vinayak Godse
19 May 1910 |
| Died | 15 November 1949 (aged 39) |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Organization | Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Hindu Mahasabha |
| Known for | Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi |
| Relatives | Gopal Godse (brother) |
| Conviction(s) | Murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Date | 30 January 1948 |
| Weapon | Beretta M 1934 semi-automatic pistol |
Nathuram Vinayak Godse (born May 19, 1910 – died November 15, 1949) was an Indian man who believed strongly in Hindu nationalism. On January 30, 1948, he killed Mahatma Gandhi. Godse was a member of a political group called the Hindu Mahasabha. He was also part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is a Hindu volunteer organization. He followed the ideas of his teacher, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who created the idea of Hindutva.
Godse and another person, Narayan Apte, tried to kill Mahatma Gandhi two times before they succeeded. After killing Gandhi in 1948, Godse said that Gandhi had favored the wishes of Muslims during the partition of India in 1947.
After a trial that lasted more than a year, Godse was found guilty on November 8, 1949. Even though Gandhi's sons asked for his punishment to be changed, their request was not accepted. Godse and Apte faced the highest penalty on November 15, 1949, at the Ambala Central Jail.
Contents
Early Life of Nathuram Godse
Nathuram Vinayakrao Godse was born into a Maharashtrian family. His father worked for the post office. At birth, he was named Ramachandra. His parents gave him the name Nathuram because they had lost three sons before him. They worried about a curse.
For his first few years, young Ramachandra was raised like a girl. He even wore a nose-ring, which is called nath in Marathi. This is how he got the nickname "Nathuram," meaning "Ram with a nose-ring." After his younger brother was born, his family began treating him as a boy.
Godse went to school in Baramati until the fifth grade. Then, he moved to Pune to live with his aunt. There, he could study at an English-language school.
Godse's Political Views and Groups
Godse left high school and became active in Hindu nationalist groups. These included the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Hindu Mahasabha. Both were right-wing organizations. He often wrote articles in newspapers to share his ideas.
Godse joined the RSS in Sangli in 1932. He also remained a member of the Hindu Mahasabha at the same time. He even started his own group called "Hindu Rashtra Dal" in 1942.
In 1946, Godse said he had left the RSS to join the Hindu Mahasabha. He said this was because of the partition of India. However, some historical records and his family say he remained a member of the RSS until his death.
The Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
Godse tried to kill Gandhi more than once. In May 1944, he tried to attack Gandhi with a knife during a prayer meeting. Godse and his group were stopped by the people around Gandhi. Gandhi chose not to press charges, so Godse was released.
In September 1944, Godse tried again to stop Gandhi's journey. This time, Godse was arrested with a dagger. He threatened to kill Gandhi. Again, Gandhi chose not to press charges, and Godse was released.
On January 30, 1948, at 5:05 PM, Gandhi was walking to a prayer meeting. Godse stepped out of the crowd and shot Gandhi three times in the chest. Gandhi fell down right away. A man named Herbert Reiner Jr. was the first to grab Godse. He held Godse until military police took him away. Gandhi was taken back to his room and died soon after.
Trial and What Happened Next
Godse was put on trial in the Punjab High Court. On November 8, 1949, he was found guilty. Even though Gandhi's two sons asked for a different outcome, their request was denied. India's prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and other leaders did not change the decision. Godse faced the highest penalty at Ambala Central Jail on November 15, 1949.
After Gandhi's death, millions of Indians were very sad. The Hindu Mahasabha group was strongly criticized. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was temporarily banned. The RSS has always said that Godse left their group in the 1930s. However, Godse's brother and other family members have said that he never left the RSS.
Attempts to Change Godse's Image
Over the years, some groups have tried to change how Nathuram Godse is seen. A play called Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy (This is Nathuram Godse Speaking) was written. It tells Godse's side of the story from his trial.
In 2014, after a new political party came to power, the Hindu Mahasabha tried to present Godse as a hero. They asked the Prime Minister to put up a statue of Godse. They also made a film about him. Some groups even tried to build a temple for Godse and celebrate January 30 as a "Bravery Day."
In May 2019, a politician from the BJP party called Godse a "patriot." She later apologized after many people reacted strongly. As certain political ideas have become more common in India, there have been more attempts to honor Godse.
Images for kids
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Godse at his trial for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948
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Group photo of people accused in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi. Standing (L to R): Shankar Kistaiya, Gopal Godse, Madan Lal Pahwa, Digambar Ramchandra Badge. Seated (L to R): Narayan Apte, Vinayak D. Savarkar, Nathuram Godse, Vishnu Karkare
See also
In Spanish: Nathuram Godse para niños
