The article written by B Gopalakrishnan, who was the BJP candidate in Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency, argued that the selfishness of Nehru was the reason for all major national tragedies including partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

Thiruvananthapuram: An article that appeared in RSS mouthpiece “Kesari” on October 17 has indirectly suggested that Nathuram Vinayak Godse should have killed Jawahar Lal Nehru and not Mahatma Gandhi.

The article written by B Gopalakrishnan, who was the BJP candidate in Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency, argued that the selfishness of Nehru was the reason for all major national tragedies including partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. “If history students honestly verified the historical facts before partition and also the views of Godse, they may arrive at the conclusion that Godse had chosen the wrong target,’’ the article said.

He claims that, Nehru ‘killed Gandhi psychologically’ and effectively cut him out of talks with the British during partition. He says that Godse was a better person than Nehru. His argument is that Nehru stabbed Gandhi in the back whereas Godse pulled the trigger after a “respectful bow”. So the author says, “If history students feel Godse aimed at the wrong target, they cannot be blamed. Nehru was solely responsible for the partition of the country.”

Congress leaders have strongly opposed the article. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has directed state police to inspect if action can be taken against the magazine.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President VM Sudheeran criticized the RSS and BJP and said in a statement that the article distorts facts and history. “After the Modi Government came to power, consistent attempts are being made to glorify hardcore Hindutva ideologues and Gandhiji’s killer Nathuram Godse. It also displays the intolerance of Modi towards Nehru and his family,’’ Sudheeran told the media.

Condemning the attack on the former prime minister, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Friday called it disgusting and reprehensible. “It is painful that RSS ideologue such as this, has spoken something disgusting and reprehensible. It is time that people understand the true face of the RSS and the BJP. It is even more unfortunate that backers of such people are in power,” said Singhvi.

The article comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to reconstitute the organising committee for the 125 birth anniversary celebration of Nehru.