Story by Raksha Bhattacharyajee
On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was killed in New Delhi, India. On his way to lead an evening prayer service at Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti), he was shot three times in the chest by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse.
Background of the Assassination
Nathuram Godse and his associates believed that Gandhi’s policies were too accommodating to Muslims, especially after the Partition of India in 1947.
They were angry over Gandhi’s efforts to ensure Pakistan received its share of financial assets and his advocacy for Hindu-Muslim unity. Godse and his group conspired to kill Gandhi, and after a failed attempt earlier, they succeeded on January 30.
Things That Happened on the Day He Died
Gandhi was making his way to Birla House’s prayer ground at approximately 5:17 PM. Nathuram Godse came up to him and bowed as he welcomed the assembled gathering. Godse abruptly produced a Beretta M1934 handgun and fired three close-range shots at Gandhi. Gandhi reportedly said his final words as he fell to the ground: “Hey Ram.” (This is up for contention, however some eyewitnesses attested to it.)
Following Immediately, Nathuram Godse was taken into custody.
On November 15, 1949, after he and his accomplices were tried, Godse was given a hanging death sentence. A period of national mourning followed the assassination, which rocked India and the rest of the world. India held a two-minute national hush in his honor on February 12, 1948.
Millions accompanied the funeral procession for Gandhi on January 31.Legacy One of the saddest incidents in Indian history is still the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Leaders all throughout the world are still motivated by his teachings of truth (Satyagraha) and non-violence (Ahimsa). Birla House, where he was assassinated, is now Gandhi Smriti, a memorial.
Observations on the Assassination of Gandhi India in Shock:
Gandhi’s passing was lamented by the whole country. “There is darkness everywhere, and the light has gone out of our lives,” Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared over the radio. Many people blamed the Hindu Mahasabha and RSS for the violence, which resulted in a temporary ban on the latter. International censure: His passing was lamented by world leaders, including President Truman, George Bernard Shaw, and Albert Einstein. January 31, 1948: The funeral of Mahatma Gandhi: Over a million people watched his body be carried in a 12-kilometer burial procession in Delhi. His ashes were submerged in the Ganga and other rivers.
Interesting Facts Failed Assassination Attempt:
Before January 30, 1948, Godse and his group had already attempted to kill Gandhi on January 20, 1948, but failed. Last Meal: Gandhi’s final meal was goat’s milk, cooked vegetables, oranges, and lemon water. Godse’s Justification: Before his execution, Godse wrote a 150-page statement defending his actions, which was later published as “Why I Killed Gandhi.”