BJP’s glorification of Godse and dismissal of Gandhi’s legacy spark concerns
New Delhi: India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), driven by RSS ideology, has increasingly shown disregard for Gandhi’s principles of peace, harmony and secularism, as evidenced by recent actions and statements by its leaders.
According to Kashmir Media Service, BJP figures, including Pragya Thakur, who referred to Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse as a “patriot,” and Cabinet Minister Giriraj Singh, who called him a “worthy son” of India, have sparked widespread controversy and criticism. These controversial remarks reflect a broader pattern within the party, where figures who opposed Gandhi’s ideals are being glorified, while his legacy is increasingly undermined.
This push to honor Gandhi’s assassin and downplay the values of non-violence and inclusivity represents a deliberate effort to promote a divisive, majoritarian ideology. Beyond rhetoric, BJP leaders have proposed replacing Gandhi’s image on Indian currency notes with figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, further attempting to rewrite India’s history to suit their ideological agenda.
Gandhi, in his lifetime, cautioned against the rise of communal forces with a totalitarian outlook—forces that could tear apart India’s unity. Sadly, under BJP rule, these very forces seem to have gained political ground. The party’s narrative increasingly paints Muslims and Christians as “internal threats,” a stark contradiction to Gandhi’s vision of a united, inclusive India. This shift towards communalism and exclusion directly challenges Gandhi’s ideals of harmony and pluralism.
The BJP’s actions have led to a noticeable shift towards majoritarianism, undermining India’s pluralistic fabric and further distancing India from Gandhi’s ideals of unity and non-violence.
As India grapples with these growing ideological shifts, citizens and international observers alike are calling for a return to Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, inclusivity, and harmony. The BJP’s continued attempts to demonize Gandhi, erase his legacy, and promote polarizing narratives raise serious concerns about the future of India’s democracy and the survival of its pluralistic traditions.
