Event glorifying Nathuram Godse cancelled in Surat after row erupts; posters describing him as ‘Supreme Patriot’ draw outcry

SURAT: A controversy erupted in the city following an event organised on Sunday with a relative of Nathuram Godse as chief guest. The event was announced as cancelled on Saturday following criticism from various sections of society.In the poster announcing the event, Godse was mentioned as "Hindu Hriday Samrat Param Deshbhakt Late Nathuramji Godse" (Emperor of Hindu Hearts, Supreme Patriot Nathuram Godse). The poster also had an image of Godse. At the event, a relative of Nathuram Godse, Ajinkya Godse, was to be present alongside Dr Gautam Khattar, founder of Sanatan Mahasangh, as the main speaker. Invitation messages were also sent to mobile phones with similar content. The event, titled, "Surakshit Bharat - Sanatan Past, Present and Future Challenges and Its Solutions", was organized by Shree Ramkrushna Seva Samiti. It was supported by Shree Maheshwari Bhavan Samiti, Shree Maheshwari Marriage Bureau and Surat Mercantile Association. The names of Narendra Saboo and Dwarka Rathi were also mentioned on the posters. The event was organized at Maheshwari Bhavan. After the uproar, event posters were removed on Saturday evening and it was announced through mobile messages that the event was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. "It is shameful that such an event is organized, glorifying the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi in his home state. What are we trying to teach our youth? Instead of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel's ethics, we are sharing knowledge about acts of murder," said Aslam Cyclewala, a Congress leader. Cyclewala said his pleas to take down the posters were not heard initially by the Surat Municipal Corporation and police. This action was taken only after various other sections of society criticized it. In a clarification video, Narendra Saboo, one of the organizers, said, "A misconception is being spread about the event that we are trying to tarnish the image of Gandhiji and glorify Godse. It is not like that. The event is purely about patriotism and the contribution of Hindus in Sanatan Dharma." Saboo later told TOI, "The event was cancelled. But as organizers, we believe that we are free to invite anyone in independent India. It is up to an individual if he likes someone or not."