Modi leads tributes to Mahatma Gandhi but country is divided over his legacy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation yesterday in paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the 75th anniversary of his death, which is marked as Martyrs’ Day.

Gandhi, a global figurehead of non-violence and peace, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse and his militant Hindu group on January 30, 1948, months after India gained independence from British colonial rule. He was 78 years old.

Mr Modi paid tribute to Gandhi – often referred to as Bapu, meaning father – remembering the sacrifices he made for his country.

“I bow to Bapu on his Punya Tithi [anniversary of his death] and recall his profound thoughts. I also pay homage to all those who have been martyred in the service of our nation,” Mr Modi said on Twitter.

“Their sacrifices will never be forgotten and will keep strengthening our resolve to work for a developed India.”

The Hindu nationalist leader and President Droupadi Murmu were among those who laid floral wreaths at the Gandhi memorial in New Delhi.

Mr Modi regularly talks about Gandhi’s influence on his life.

But critics say after Mr Modi’s rise to power in 2014, Hindu right-wing groups and the Prime Minister’s party have lionised Gandhi’s assassin.

Supporters of Godse hold regular prayers at temples across India and mark the day as Valour Day.

The All India Hindu Mahasabha distributed sweets and prayed at a temple dedicated to the assassin. They have previously re-enacted the killing.

“We worship Godse because we believe what he did was the revenge for the murder of those who died during the partition,” Ashok Sharma, vice president of All India Hindu Mahasabha, told The National. “Gandhi was responsible for the partition 75 years ago. We all knew this but now the whole world knows about Godse’s contribution to this country.”

Godse, then 37, fired three bullets into Gandhi’s chest as he left a multi-faith prayer meeting in New Delhi. He died instantly, plunging the newly independent nation into weeks of mourning.

Godse was convicted of murder and hanged along with a co-conspirator Narayan Apte in November 1949.

Godse became one of the most despised figures in India.

But Gandhi’s great-grandson says that the assassin’s rehabilitation in recent years is driven by the Hindu hegemony in Indian politics.

“Gandhi would have never accepted what India is being turned into today – intolerant, vile and aggressive,” Tushar Gandhi told The National. “A very brutal India is emerging.”