On January 30, 1948, the world was shocked by the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi who was often venerated as ‘Mahatma’ As a key figure in demanding India’s independence from British rule, Gandhi’s determination to he does not move the violence. His thoughts caught the peaceful emergence of India and Pakistan as independent states in August 1947. But the post-partition communal strife between Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs worried Gandhi so much, that he fasted to death in an effort to restore peace in communication.
Gandhi’s philosophy was universally admired and even respected by the Pakistani government, but he faced opposition from certain Hindu circles. Critics attributed their ability to defend themselves to their strong adherence to nonviolence. This pressure culminated in a failed bombing attempt on January 20, 1948 on Gandhi’s life.
These tensions ended on January 29, 1948. Nathuram Godse, a fiery Hindu nationalist with a practical Beretta pistol, returned to Delhi The next day, Gandhi, 78, weak from fasting so were attending a prayer meeting at Birla Ghar and wrote. Here Godse broke through the crowd and shot Gandhi at point blank range. Taking his last breath, Gandhi, who is believed to have called out “Ram, Ram,” died within the next half hour.
Godse’s subsequent suicide attempt was unsuccessful. He was immediately arrested and formally tried for murder despite an immediate public outcry for vengeance. In November 1949, he was executed.
As the nation plunged into mau after this tragedy, draped in white and illuminated by a single spotlight, Gandhi’s body was laid to rest at the Birla house
Read Also: Subhas Chandra Bose – The Crusader
