Gandhi Jayanti or 'Dhikkar Divas'? First-ever Godse statue unveiled in Meerut

The first-ever statute of Godse was unveiled at Hindu Mahasabha's office. Mahasabha members observed October 2 as  'Dhikkar Divas' instead of Gandhi Jayanti.

A Hindu ring wing group in Meerut on Gandhi Jayanti decided to install the statue of Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. It is said to be the first-ever-bust of Godse.

Hindu Mahasabha unveiled a bust of Nathuram Godse observed 'Dhikkar Divas' instead of Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October, which the United Nations has declared to be the International Day of Non-Violence, The Times of India reported. The statue was installed at the Sharda road office of Hindu Mahasabha in Meerut.

"In 2014, when we had tried to install Godse's after a ceremony, it was opposed by police and some right-wing organisations, due to which the spot was sealed and the matter taken to court. This time, we exercised extreme caution and unveiled the statue on Gandhi Jayanti, as there can be no better day for this,"   Pandit Ashok Sharma, national vice-president of the organisation, told TOI.

"Our step signifies that it is time all Indians stop following Gandhi's footsteps and start worshipping Godse," he said.

Yogendra Verma, the Mahasabha's UP unit president told TOI that the bust was built by artisans in Jaipur and cost ₹ 45,000.

The Akhil Bhāratiya Hindu Mahasabha is a Hindu nationalist political party, was setup during the British era to protect rights of the Hindus.