<p>Saffron outfits’ plan to erect statues of Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse in Meerut and Sitapur districts in Uttar Pradesh has triggered a major controversy with a case being lodged against one of the office-bearers of one such outfit.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to the police sources here, All India Hindu Mahasabha activists had performed a “bhumi pujan” (a religious ritual before launching construction work on the land) ceremony in Meerut town, about 450 km from here.<br /><br />The Mahasabha activists also reportedly declared that Godse’s statue would be unveiled on January 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. <br /><br />According to sources, the Mahasabha office-bearers also used “objectionable” words against the Father of the Nation. A case has been registered against Mahasabha general secretary Madan Acahrya in this regard in Meerut.<br /><br />An office-bearer of another outfit, Om Shiv Mahakal Seva Samiti, said that the land belonged to the Samiti and that a 4.5-foot-high Godse statue would be erected shortly.<br /><br />The Mahasabha has also announced that a statue of Godse would also be erected inside an Akhand Bharat Temple in Sitapur district, about 90 km from here. <br /><br />“The land for the temple has already been selected in the district and the bhumi pujan ceremony will be organised soon,” said an activist of Mahasabha.<br /><br />The authorities have made it clear that they will not allow any activity that may vitiate the atmosphere. “We are keeping a close watch on the situation...stern action will be taken against those who try to foment trouble,” said a senior official here on Friday.<br /><br />Earlier, a BJP MP from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj had courted controversy by calling Godse a “patriot”. <br /></p>
<p>Saffron outfits’ plan to erect statues of Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse in Meerut and Sitapur districts in Uttar Pradesh has triggered a major controversy with a case being lodged against one of the office-bearers of one such outfit.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to the police sources here, All India Hindu Mahasabha activists had performed a “bhumi pujan” (a religious ritual before launching construction work on the land) ceremony in Meerut town, about 450 km from here.<br /><br />The Mahasabha activists also reportedly declared that Godse’s statue would be unveiled on January 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. <br /><br />According to sources, the Mahasabha office-bearers also used “objectionable” words against the Father of the Nation. A case has been registered against Mahasabha general secretary Madan Acahrya in this regard in Meerut.<br /><br />An office-bearer of another outfit, Om Shiv Mahakal Seva Samiti, said that the land belonged to the Samiti and that a 4.5-foot-high Godse statue would be erected shortly.<br /><br />The Mahasabha has also announced that a statue of Godse would also be erected inside an Akhand Bharat Temple in Sitapur district, about 90 km from here. <br /><br />“The land for the temple has already been selected in the district and the bhumi pujan ceremony will be organised soon,” said an activist of Mahasabha.<br /><br />The authorities have made it clear that they will not allow any activity that may vitiate the atmosphere. “We are keeping a close watch on the situation...stern action will be taken against those who try to foment trouble,” said a senior official here on Friday.<br /><br />Earlier, a BJP MP from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj had courted controversy by calling Godse a “patriot”. <br /></p>
