(Washington Post) For several weeks now, a small Hindu fringe group in India has been attracting attention around the world because of its plans to erect a bust in honor of Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi in 1948.
Organizers had chosen Friday, the 67th anniversary of the freedom fighter’s death, as the big day. They had a bust of assassin Godse ready to go — and had even conducted a special purification ritual at the temple spot in the northern city of Meerut, 43 miles northeast of New Delhi. They demanded that Friday be declared as a “day of courage” across India, to mark what they regard was Godse’s brave act.