Godse ‘Saput’ Of India: Union Min Giriraj Singh Sparks Fresh Row, Oppn Demands PM Modi's Reaction

Union Minister Giriraj Singh is drawing the Opposition's ire after he called Nathuram Godse a ‘saput’ (worthy son) of India, comparing him with "invaders" like Mughal rulers.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh stoked fresh controversy as he termed Nathuram Godse a ‘saput’ (worthy son) of India and said the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi was not an invader like Mughal rulers Babar and Aurangzeb as he was born in India. The remarks came in response to a statement of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi asking BJP whether they are "Godse ki aulad". Opposition members have taken exception to the fresh remarks saying that the minister is "praising" a person who killed the father of the nation.

Talking to reporters in Dantewada city of Chhattisgarh on Friday, the BJP leader, who holds the rural development and panchayati raj portfolio, said that those who feel happy in calling themselves children of Babar and Aurangzeb cannot be true sons of mother India.

“If he was the killer of Gandhi, he (Godse) was also a saput of India. He was born in India. He was not an invader like Babar and Aurangzeb,” Singh said when asked about Owaisi's statement related to Godse while reacting to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s comment on Aurangzeb, Singh said.

Will You Condemn Giriraj Singh's Statement: Opposition Asks PM Modi

Congress Lok Sabha MP demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response asking, "Dear Prime Minister @narendramodi. Do you support this statement? Will you condemn this statement and drop @girirajsinghbjp from your ministry? Giriraj remains Godse Bhakt."

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal slammed Giriraj Singh saying, "Saput means a good son. Was Godse a good son according to Giriraj Singh? Giriraj Singh being a minister is speaking for he government. So do PM Modi and Amit also believe the same? They should condemn these remarks."

I don't think they will condemn the remarks... RSS offered help to Britishers, how can they acknowledge Mahatma Gandhi? So this mindset is against principles of Mahatma Gandhi. They (BJP) are doing politics against Gandhi's principles," the former Union minister told news agency ANI.

TMC MP Saugata Roy said he totally rejects Giriraj Singh's statement and added, "He has made a communal statement, he has praised a person who killed the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. He has called to Mughal emperors as people against India. We are all for all Indians including the Mughals."

"'Babar ki Aulad' is a term used by communal people, we reject it," he remarked.

"Dacoits from Chambal, Dawood, Vijay Mallya, and others are also Indians. Should we accept them? There shouldn't be any attempt to change the history," JDU's Neeraj Kumar told ANI.

Owaisi vs Fadnavis On 'Aurangzeb Ki Aulad' Remark

Referring to recent violence in a few cities of Maharashtra, Fadnavis said on Wednesday that suddenly Aurangzeb’s “aulad” (progenies) had taken birth in the state, prompting Owaisi to counter who was “Godse ki aulad”.

Addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, Owaisi remarked, "Maharashtra's Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said 'Aurangzeb ke aulaad.' Do you know everything? I didn't know you (Fadnavis) were such an expert. Then you should know who the children of Godse and Apte too, who are they?" 

Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte were executed by hanging for their role in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.