Why Killed Gandhi: A Controversial and Compelling Read

Why I Killed Gandhi

by Nathuram Vinayak Godse

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	533 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	17 pages

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Nathuram Vinayak Godse's book, 'Why Killed Gandhi,' is a controversial and thought-provoking account of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Written by Godse himself while he was imprisoned awaiting execution, the book offers a unique perspective on the motivations and beliefs of the man who killed one of the most influential figures in Indian history.

Originally published in Marathi in 1948, the book was later translated into English and has since become a subject of intense debate and analysis. In this article, we will explore the contents and significance of 'Why Killed Gandhi,' providing historical context and our own analysis of its arguments.

Historical Context

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Vinayak Godse, a Hindu nationalist and member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Godse believed that Gandhi was a traitor to the Hindu nation and that his nonviolent resistance to British rule had weakened India.

In the years leading up to Gandhi's assassination, India had been in the midst of a struggle for independence from British rule. Gandhi had emerged as the leader of the Indian National Congress, an organization that advocated for nonviolent resistance to British authority. Godse and other Hindu nationalists opposed Gandhi's nonviolent approach, believing that it was ineffective and that violence was necessary to achieve India's independence.

Godse's Motives

In 'Why Killed Gandhi,' Godse outlines his reasons for assassinating Gandhi. He accuses Gandhi of being a hypocrite, of being too accommodating to Muslims, and of weakening India by advocating for nonviolence.

Godse argues that Gandhi's nonviolent resistance was ineffective against the British and that it only served to prolong India's suffering. He also accuses Gandhi of being too soft on Muslims, arguing that Gandhi's support for a united India that included Muslims was a betrayal of the Hindu nation.

Godse's views were shaped by his upbringing in a devout Hindu family and his association with the RSS, a Hindu nationalist organization. The RSS believed that India should be a Hindu nation and that nonviolence was a sign of weakness.

Analysis

'Why Killed Gandhi' is a complex and controversial book that has been the subject of much debate and analysis. Some scholars have argued that Godse's book is a valuable historical document that provides insight into the mind of a political assassin.

Others have criticized the book as being self-serving and full of distortions. They argue that Godse's account of Gandhi's assassination is biased and that he fails to take into account the complex historical context in which the assassination took place.

Despite the controversy surrounding it, 'Why Killed Gandhi' remains an important historical document. It offers a unique perspective on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and sheds light on the motivations and beliefs of Nathuram Vinayak Godse.

Nathuram Vinayak Godse's book, 'Why Killed Gandhi,' is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian history or the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The book offers a rare and controversial glimpse into the mind of the assassin and provides valuable insights into the complex historical context in which the assassination took place.

Whether you agree with Godse's views or not, 'Why Killed Gandhi' is a thought-provoking and compelling read that will challenge your understanding of this pivotal event in Indian history.

Why I Killed Gandhi

by Nathuram Vinayak Godse

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	533 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	17 pages

FREE