BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj today triggered a controversy by saying that Nathuram Godse was a patriot like Mahatma Gandhi. Replying to a question over the reports that Godse birth anniversary is being celebrated in Maharashtra as Shourya Diwas, the BJP MP said that Godse was a nationalist. Maharaj, however, later denied as having said anything in the praise of Godse. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, he clarified that he does not consider Godse as a patriot.

Earlier, the Rajya Sabha witnessed protests as Congress leader Husain Dalwai raised the issue claiming that Godse’s birth anniversary is being celebrated in Maharashtra as Shourya Diwas. He also alleged that the ruling BJP is backing the celebration. The House witnessed repeated adjournments in the pre-lunch session over the issue. Congress members including V Hanumantha Rao and P L Punia trooped into the well forcing the Chair to adjourn the House twice.

Before adjourning the House, the Chairman Mod.Hamid Ansari warned the members not to force the chair to take action against them. Earlier Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi ruled out that the Government is supporting the assassins of Mahatma Gandhi.

Another Minister Venkaiah Naidu said there is no question of eulogizing Godse who had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. Meanwhile, Congress and CPI(M) took strong exception to the remarks of Sakshi Maharaj. Congress leader P L Punia demanded action against him saying such remarks amount to anti-national act. CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the remarks show the mindset of BJP. He said the BJP, RSS and other related organizations are not in favour of maintaining the secular fabric of the country.