SDPI observes ‘Protest Day’ against Godse followers, pledges to uphold secularism

Mangaluru, Jan 30: Under the aegis of the Dakshina Kannada unit of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) observed the death anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as ‘Protest Day’ on Friday, as a mark of protest against growing adulation of his assassin Nathuram Godse by certain extremist groups in the country.

On the occasion, a protest march was held by SDPI members from Lalbagh after garlanding the bust of Gandhiji in front of Mangaluru City Corporation.

Delivering the main address at the public protest meeting held in front of the deputy commissioner’s office here on Friday, SDPI national working committee member Ilyas Mohammed Thumbe said that January 30, 1948 was one of the darkest days in the history of the country when an extremist group led by Nathuram Godse succeeded in killing the great soul that was Gandhiji. He was assassinated since his dream of a united and secular India stood in the path of several fascist groups such as the RSS which desired to limit the country to people of a single religion. His principles could not be tolerated by these groups, which led to his assassination, he said, adding that the killing was an act of terrorism.

'Will not allow Godse temple, statue to come up'

He said that the country’s biggest enemies were the fascist organisations that have pledged to divide the nation on the lines of religion. These organisations have now come forth to build a temple in honour of a murderer. Although they have justified the slaying of Gandhiji since long alleging that he wanted the division of India into two states, the Mahatma never supported dividing the country, he stated, announcing that the members of SDPI were ready to go to jail if the central government permitted the construction of a temple for Godse in Meerut.

“Recently, the same fascist forces have begun several propaganda including Ghar Wapsi and have taken to misguiding the Hindu society with slogans such as ‘Bahu Lao, Beti Bachao’. In major advertisements published during US President Obama’s visit, they have deliberately omitted the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ from the country’s description. They are also trying to sow the seeds of communal hatred among children by saffronising the textbooks in schools. But, it is not possible for followers of Godse to remove secularism from India. We need to save the country from the Godses of today,” he urged, advocating that members of the organisation would never allow fascist forces to set up a statue of Godse in Mangaluru.

In his inaugural address, SDPI state committee member Alphonso Franco said that by using the concept of ‘Hindutva’ as a dividing factor, saffron extremists were trying to portray the assassin of Mahatma Gandhiji as a hero and trying to idolise him. While no person in the country has the eligibility to make claims about Gandhiji, these extremists are using such tactics for the sake of gaining vote banks. Even the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi which has been celebrated historically since several years has been relegated to launching ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign, he said.

Stating that the fascist forces that attacked and raided churches in the coastal region few years ago, had begun attacking masjids, he urged people to stand up to such forces.

SDPI district president Nawaz Ullal presided over the event. District general secretary Riyaz Farangipete welcomed the gathering and made the introductory remarks.

SDPI state vice president Haneef Khan Kodaje, district vice-president M Koosappa Puttur, Corporator Ayaz, SDPI members Ashraf M K, Noorullah Kulai, Kabeer Bajal, K A Siddiq Puttur, Akbar Belthangady, Kalam Sullia and several others participated in the protest meeting.