A freshly minted statue of Nathuram Godse that was to be formally unveiled on Wednesday has kicked up a row in a coastal Andhra Pradesh town.
Activists of Gandhi Mandali Abhibrudhi Committee protesting against the glorification of the Mahatma’s killer damaged the
statue with axes and shovels and brought it down. They threatened to intensify the agitation if the statue was allowed to be installed.
“Tadepalligudem has played a great role during the freedom movement and a number of local youth went to jail inspired by Gandhiji`s call. Mahatma Gandhi spent a night in the town too. Installing the statue of Gandhiji`s killer in this town is an affront to the memory of hundreds of freedom fighters as well as their descendants,” said Appa Rao, adding that it is intended to cause ill will among people.But the man behind the statue, appropriately named Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, is unapologetic. He insists he has the right to go ahead with installing the statue. “I have made the statue with my own money and I am installing it in my own land, not in any public place. What objections do they have,” he asked.
Mukherjee, a lawyer, wanted to unveil the statue on Wednesday to commemorate Godse’s death anniversary. On Mukherjee’s complaint, police has booked a case and started investigations.