A political storm is brewing in Goa after remarks by the state's Congress President, Amit Patkar, linked the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi to a major event of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The comments, made on a politically sensitive day, have drawn a sharp rebuke from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is now demanding an immediate apology.The controversy began when Patkar addressed reporters, pointing out the timing of the BJP's celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the RSS, which coincided with Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd. He claimed that while the BJP professes to follow Mahatma Gandhi's ideology, their actions suggest otherwise. "They (BJP) say that they will take the country forward with the ideology of Gandhiji. I always say that they have Mahatma Gandhi on their lips and Nathuram Godse in their heart," Patkar stated.He directly accused the BJP of celebrating the centenary of the organization that he alleges was responsible for killing Mahatma Gandhi.The reaction from the BJP was swift and strong. In a post on its official X account, the Goa unit of the party called Patkar's accusation a "shameless lie" and an insult to the countless volunteers who have served the nation for a century. The party insists that historical records and multiple independent inquiries have made it clear that the RSS had no role in Gandhi's assassination.The BJP has demanded that Patkar retract his statement and apologize immediately. The party has also suggested that Patkar's comments are a desperate political move to maintain his position within the Congress party. Former BJP state spokesman, Giriraj Pai Vernekar, also weighed in, urging Patkar to keep the RSS out of what he termed "gutter politics."This clash highlights the ongoing political friction in the state and revives a historical debate that remains highly sensitive in Indian politics.
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