Mumbaikars want Hemant Karkare’s birthday or 13th Dec the day when security personnel sacrificed their lives while guarding the Parliament to be observed as Shaurya Diwas.
The Hindu Mahasabha observes Shaurya Diwas to commensurate Nathuram Godse’s death anniversary every year on November 15 since 1993. The opposition parties had raised objections in Rajya Sabha against eulogising Godse. Congress MP Husain Dalwai had written to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the same. On the other hand, Mumbaikars are in favour of observing the day in remembrance of former Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Chief Hemant Karkare who was killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. While some others want the day to be observed as a tribute to those security personnel who foiled the 2001 Indian Parliament Attack. The Right wing organisations have been considering Godse as a hero.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik hit out at BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj and said, “The manner in which BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj had praised Nathuram Godse and has given him a patriotic image, BJP’s true colours are coming out. People are becoming aware about the mindset of the saffron party which is making murderer a hero whereas true patriots like Hemant Karkare are left out.”
Ashok Raje, a Kandivali resident said, “Why is the Hindu Mahasabha giving too much importance to Nathuram Godse? They could have instead observed the day by paying tribute to real heroes like Hemant Karkare.”
Pravin Sanghvi a Borivali resident, “According to me, Hemant Karkare deserves more respect as he had laid down his life during the 26/11 terror attack. Since Mr Karkare’s birthday falls on 12th December hence it will be better to remember the sacrifice made by him for the nation.”
Sunil Deshmukh a BPO employee from Malad said, “Why are real heroes sidelined in our country? Politicians simply blow issue out of proportion by discussing irrelevant topics in the house instead of focussing on important matters. Why are they wasting the tax payers hard earned money?”
Earlier BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj was criticised after he made a statement terming Godse a ‘patriot’. He retracted the same later.
For this year’s ‘Shaurya Diwas’, the Hindu Mahasabha observed a recitation of Godse’s final letter on November 15. “We have been observing the day since 1993 and read his last letter. Godseji’s last wish was for his remains to be scattered in the Sindhu river in undivided India,” said Dinesh Bhogale, Hindu Mahasabha spokesman.
In the event this year, Godse was praised for his patriotism. An announcement of a film based on his life was also made in the programme. The movie will be released on January 30.
