Hegde, other BJP leaders enter Godse 'patriot' debate

A series of tweets from Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Anant Kumar Hegde led to a tizzy on social media on Friday as he reignited the 'Godse patriotism' debate by lending support to the idea that Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, was a patriot.

He, however, soon deleted the controversial tweets about Godse and claimed that they were sent out erroneously as his phone had been breached since Thursday.

The whole incident also prompted BJP party president Amit Shah to tweet saying that party disciplinary committee has taken note of the incident and other related cases. He added that the party has sent notices to concerned individuals to seek explanations from them over the 'Godse-patriotism' debate unfolding on social media.

What is the 'Gode Patriot' row? Who said what?

The latest row comes closely on the heels of BJP’s Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur's comments on Thursday that kicked up a row as she called Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse a “patriot”. Sadhvi Pragya was reacting to Kamal Haasan's recent comment that the first terrorist in India was a Hindu.

As her remark immediately drew nationwide condemnation from Opposition parties, the BJP not only distanced itself from it but also asked Pragya to tender a public apology.

Although Pragya issued an apology, Hegde on Friday shocked Twitterati as he told supporters to stop "being apologetic".

He said so after commenting on a tweet from a user with handle @shakkuiyer, who argued for reading "Godse's defence during trial."

Hegde also commented on BJP supporter and editor of the journal, Manushi, Madhu Purnima Kishwar.

"Am glad that 7 decades later today's generation debates in a changed perceptional environment and gives good scope for the condemned to be heard upon. #NathuramGodse would have finally felt happy with this debate! (sic)", Hegde, who is known for controversial statements, tweeted.

Madhu Purnima Kishwar’s who has been caught spreading fake and dubious claims on more than one occasion praised Nathuram Godse in her original tweet for ‘staying firm on his version of patriotism’ by facing ‘the trial with heroic courage.

Besides Hegde, Nalin Kumar Kateel, a BJP MP from Karnataka also entered the Godse debate on Thursday he dragged late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi into the conversation by claiming that "Godse killed one, Kasab killed 72, Rajiv Gandhi killed 17,000. You judge who is more cruel in this??"

Nalin Kumar Kateel also deleted his controversial tweet.