Sakshi Maharaj apologising in Parliament for remarks calling Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse a patriot
A day after describing Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a "patriot", BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj provoked louder protests in Parliament with his "clarification." Three apologies by him in a matter of minutes fueled more opposition anger.
"I respect Gandhi, I respect the House. I have taken back my words. The opposition has no issue. Gandhi was killed back then by Godse but I believe Gandhi was killed in the 1984 when Sikhs were killed during riots," Sakshi Maharaj said. His reference to the anti-Sikh riots after the assassination of Indira Gandhi - in which Congress leaders have been accused of leading mob attacks - drew a howl of protests.
This was not an apology, the opposition alleged.
"The nation wants an unconditional apology from Sakshi Maharaj," said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
"Should I have a mandatory five minutes every day for apologies?" Speaker Sumitra Mahajan remarked. At her instance, Sakshi Maharaj stood again and said, "I take back my words and respect Gandhi."
Slogan shouting continued as the Speaker urged the saffron-robed BJP MP to make a clear apology. Sakshi Maharaj then repeated his words.
Sakshi Maharaj has been widely condemned for saying at a programme, "I feel Nathuram Godse was a patriot just as Mahatma Gandhi was." On Thursday, he back-tracked saying, "I don't consider Godse a patriotic person. I take back my words if I said something by mistake." (
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The Congress has demanded a case of treason against Sakshi Maharaj.
Loud chants of "Hey ram" - Gandhi's dying words - by opposition MPs forced an adjournment of the Lok Sabha just 15 minutes after today's sitting began.
Congress MPs had earlier protested near Gandhi's statue outside Parliament. "Don't violate India's soul," said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu emphasised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that, "There is no question of honouring such people. There is no question of the government doing it."
Nathuram Godse, a right-wing activist, had shot the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi thrice in the chest at point blank range on January 30, 1948. He was hanged in November 1949.