Temple for Nathuram Godse? Mahatma Gandhi must be turning in his grave
Mangaluru: So far, the only known temple to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi is in little known Bhatra village in Sambhalpur, Odisha that was built in 1971 by ‘untouchables’ banned from worshipping in other temples.
But there’s one more, much closer to home in Mangaluru. And the city that worships Gandhiji is deeply unhappy with the Hindu Mahasabha’s proposal to construct a temple dedicated to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s murderer Nathuram Godse.
A daily puja is conducted for the Mahatma, alongside other deities at Sri Brahma Baidarkala Garadi Kshetra (Temple) in Mangaluru City for the last 68 years.
The temple is situated near Mahaveera Circle in Mangaluru and has “Koti-Chennaya” and “Brahma” as the main deities. Gandhiji finds a place with a small “Gudi,” built for him.
The idol of Gandhiji was donated by Venakappa Sahukar of Falnir, a follower of Gandhiji and was installed on December 15, 1948 (on January 30, the same year Gandhiji had been assassinated by Godse).
People angry
The news that some outfits want to construct temple to Godse, the person who killed Gandhiji has made people here deeply unhappy.
“Temple dedicated to Godse? It is really shocking! Our elders installed the idol of Gandhiji and started worshipping him in the temple with a reason.
They might have liked his qualities and contribution and thus elevated him. But what is the necessity of having a temple dedicated to Godse who shed Gandhi’s blood,” questions temple committee president Chittarajan.
“It is difficult to imagine and understand a temple dedicated to Godse,” he adds. AICC member P V Mohan says, “This proposal has surfaced after BJP came to power at the Centre.
On one side BJP praises Gandhiji and inaugurates ‘Swachh Bharat’ and on the other, it encourages Hindu Mahasabha to construct a temple for Godse,” he said.
