Nathuram Godse killed Mahatma Gandhi, the unofficial “Father of the Nation,” on January 30, 1948, at the age of 78. On the 73rd anniversary of his death, we honour this great leader. Every year on January 30, India commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s death as Martyrs’ Day or Shaheed Divas. It is also commemorated to honour the freedom warriors who gave their lives in the fight for the country’s independence.
Mahatma Gandhi was born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in Gujarat’s Porbandar on October 2, 1869, and got his higher education in England before returning to India and leading the liberation struggle against British authority. He brought ‘ahimsa,’ or nonviolence, to India and used nonviolent protests to take on the British.
His beliefs have been emulated all across the world, and he is often referred to as a “living the right way” textbook. He was affectionately known as ‘Bapu,’ and he radiated truth, nonviolence, and simplicity.
Gandhiji had previously survived five failed assassination attempts before receiving the final fatal blow on January 30, 1948. When Gandhi was getting up from an evening prayer service at Birla House in Delhi, he was killed. Godse assassinated Gandhi by shooting him three times in the chest. The entire world was startled by the incident. Godse was later apprehended and sentenced to death. Gandhi, he claimed, was responsible for the country’s split.
Here is a thorough account of Mahatma Gandhi’s five attempted assassination attempts before he was finally killed on January 30, 1948.
25th of June, 1934
The conspirators bombed a car in Pune, supposing Bapu was inside, when Gandhi ji arrived to deliver a speech.
Gandhi ji was sent to rest at Panchgani in July 1944, and it was here that a group of anti-Gandhi protesters began yelling anti-Gandhi chants. Gandhi ji called Nathuram, the leader of the group, to a meeting, which he declined. Godse was later seen racing towards Gandhiji with a dagger at the prayer meeting, but was luckily tackled by Manishankar Purohit and Bhillare Guruji of Satara.
The month of September 1944
When Mahatma Gandhi travelled from Sevagram to Bombay, where the discussions with Mohammad Ali Jinnah were to begin, Nathuram Godse and his crew surrounded the ashram, attempting to prevent Gandhi from leaving Bombay. Dr. Sushila Nayyar testified later in the investigation that Nathuram Godse was prevented from reaching Gandhi by individuals at the ashram and was found in possession of a dagger.
The month of June 1946
Another plot to assassinate Gandhi ji was conceived as he was travelling to Pune on the Gandhi special train. Gandhi ji was saved after the train collided with pebbles put on the tracks, thanks to the driver’s competence.
20th of January, 1948
The plot to assassinate Bapu once more was planned during a meeting at Birla Bhavan. Madanlal Pahwa, Nathuram Godse, Narayan Apte, Vishnu Karkare, Digambar Badge, Gopal Godse, and Shankar Kistaiya had all agreed to attend the meeting where the murder would be carried out. They were intended to detonate a bomb and then shoot at the podium. Fortunately, the scheme failed when Madanlal was apprehended and recognised by Sulochona Devi in time.
