Former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who recently joined the BJP, has sparked controversy by stating that he "cannot choose between Gandhi and Godse" and feels compelled to understand the reasoning behind Nathuram Godse's actions. Gangopadhyay, speaking to AajTak Bangla, emphasized the importance of examining all perspectives, particularly from a legal standpoint, and expressed his intention to delve into Godse's writings to comprehend the motivations behind Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.
While condemning Gandhi's murder, Gangopadhyay highlighted the need to analyze historical events from various angles. He stressed that comparing Gandhi and Godse is futile, likening it to comparing disparate entities such as kerosene and cloth. Gangopadhyay acknowledged Godse's act as wrongful but mentioned Godse's purported citation of numerous reasons for his actions.
However, Gangopadhyay's remarks have drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, which accused him of sympathizing with Gandhi's murderer. The TMC denounced Gangopadhyay as a "shameless Godse sympathizer" and criticized his reluctance to take a clear stance in the Gandhi versus Godse debate. The party asserted Gandhi's status as the father of the nation and condemned any association with Godse, whom they labeled as an anti-national figure. Additionally, the TMC accused Gangopadhyay of being entrenched in saffronization and asserted that individuals with sympathies towards Godse have no place in society.
