India has a long and complex history when it comes to its struggle for freedom, and no two figures are more symbolic of this struggle than Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse. While both are recognized for their roles in India’s independence, the philosophical differences between the two have been a source of debate for decades. In this blog post, we will explore the fundamental beliefs of each man and examine the impact their contrasting ideologies had on India’s freedom.

Who was Gandhi?

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian political and spiritual leader who championed nonviolent resistance against British rule in India. He is widely considered the father of the Indian nation, and his philosophy of satyagraha (literally “truth force”) influenced civil rights movements around the world.
Gandhi was born in 1869 in Porbandar, a small town in what is now the western state of Gujarat. He was educated in England as a lawyer, and he later returned to India to practice law. In 1915, Gandhi founded the Satyagraha Ashram (or “Experiment with Truth”) in Ahmedabad, India, where he developed his vision of satyagraha, or passive resistance, as a means of protesting social and political injustice. Through his leadership, he advocated for Indian independence from British rule and a host of other causes, including education reform, abolition of untouchability, poverty alleviation, and women’s rights. He is remembered as the Mahatma (“Great Soul”), an honorific title given to him by the people of India.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, civil disobedience, and passive resistance became a major force in the struggle for Indian independence. He believed that justice could only be attained through peaceful means and that violence was never an acceptable answer. He also believed that people must strive to achieve equality through moral action, not simply through legislation. His teachings have since been used as an inspiration for civil rights movements around the world, leading many to call him one of the greatest political and spiritual leaders of the 20th century.
Despite this tremendous impact, however, some disagreed with his ideas—including Nathuram Godse. Godse was an Indian Hindu extremist who assassinated Gandhi on January 30, 1948. Unlike Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, Godse’s beliefs were rooted in violence, hatred, and revenge. This profound difference in their core beliefs led them to diametrically oppose each other. Ultimately, however, it was Godse’s beliefs which prevailed on that fateful day. To this day, millions of Indians still mourn the death of their beloved leader, while remembering him as an icon of peace and perseverance despite extreme adversity. May we all take after the example set forth by Mahatma Gandhi and follow the path of peace and understanding over hate and divisiveness.

What were their beliefs?

Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse had drastically different beliefs that ultimately led to a tragic end. Gandhi believed in non-violent resistance, civil disobedience, and peaceful protest. His goal was to win independence for India without the use of force or violence. He strongly believed in the power of the people and sought to bring about change by protesting injustice and oppression through non-violent means.
Godse, on the other hand, believed in using violent means to achieve political goals. He was a passionate supporter of Hindu nationalism and wanted to create an independent state where Hinduism was the dominant religion. He saw violence as necessary to protect Hindus from discrimination, and believed that only through violence could true independence be achieved. Godse believed that Gandhi’s peaceful protests were not achieving enough and he viewed Gandhi’s opposition to the partition of India as a betrayal of his own people. As a result, Godse became disillusioned with Gandhi and decided to take matters into his own hands. On January 30th 1948, he assassinated Mahatma Gandhi during one of his prayer meetings.

Godse felt that while Gandhi stood for peace and justice, he lacked the strength needed to challenge oppressive forces within Indian politics. He claimed that it was his duty to step forward and take decisive action, which is why he chose to take the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi’s legacy lives on today despite the tragedy of his assassination. His philosophy has continued to inspire millions around the world who are seeking freedom, justice and equality. Today, millions of Indians follow Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence when they seek to advocate for their rights and fight injustices. Gandhi’s vision continues to serve as a beacon of hope for people around the world seeking to break free from oppressive systems and build a better world. Even after his death, Mahatma Gandhi remains a symbol of courage and resilience, having fought against inequality and injustice until the very end.

To truly honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, it is essential to remember both his commitment to nonviolent activism and his deep empathy for those who have been oppressed. By following his example, we can continue to work towards social progress that honours human dignity and recognizes human rights as universal values. We must also strive to understand the context behind this philosophical difference between Gandhi and Godse to create a more just society where everyone can live peacefully together. Despite the differences between them, there is no denying that both men shared a common passion for social justice and worked towards creating a better future for India. To ensure that this dream comes true, we must continue to adhere to the values of Mahatma Gandhi such as compassion, tolerance and respect for all living beings.

How did their beliefs shape their actions?

The beliefs of Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse greatly influenced their respective actions. Gandhi was a devout Hindu and believed in nonviolence and ahimsa (non-harming). He believed in peaceful dialogue and protests, which he used to advocate for the rights of Indians during the British rule. His beliefs led him to lead the famous Salt March, an act of peaceful civil disobedience, and he also organized several strikes to protest oppressive laws.
Godse, on the other hand, had a more militant view of independence. He believed that the only way to achieve freedom was through force and violence. To this end, he joined the Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and was a prominent member of its paramilitary wing, the Hindu Mahasabha. He was instrumental in planning the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi as a way to end his peaceful campaigns and replace them with violent ones. However, Godse’s views did not come without criticism from within the Hindu Mahasabha, many members of which strongly opposed any kind of violence against India’s most renowned leader.
Mahatma Gandhi was deeply committed to using nonviolent methods to further India’s struggle for independence. His philosophy of satyagraha—meaning ‘truth’ and ‘force’—espoused passive resistance and noncooperation with unjust authority. He advocated peaceful means of protesting and insisted upon truthfulness in all interactions, even with those who disagreed with him politically or religiously. His commitment to nonviolence would remain unshakable throughout his life, even in moments of extreme provocation.
Gandhi’s influence extended beyond India’s struggle for independence. He inspired people around the world—including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Dalai Lama—with his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and pursuit of justice. Throughout his lifetime, Mahatma Gandhi challenged both British colonial rulers and Indian nationalists alike to pursue peace instead of violence. His teachings have served as guiding principles for many people looking to promote human rights and social change. Today, Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as one of the most important figures in modern Indian history and continues to be honored by millions worldwide. His legacy remains ever present in the form of statues, books, films, quotes, and memorials across India. Many schools and universities in India still bear his name, honoring his work for social justice. Additionally, October 2nd is marked as a national holiday known as ‘Gandhi Jayanti’, where people celebrate and honor Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings of peace and justice. Finally, Mahatma Gandhi’s work has been recognised globally by the United Nations International Day of Nonviolence every year on October 2nd since 2007.

What happened as a result of their actions?

The actions of Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse had an immense impact on the future of India. Through his peaceful protests and civil disobedience, Gandhi was able to lead India to independence from the British in 1947. His dedication to peaceful resistance and nonviolence inspired people all over the world. The legacy of Gandhi’s peaceful activism continues to this day and has had a major influence on people around the world.
Godse, however, disagreed with Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence and felt that India should have taken a more aggressive stance against the British. In 1948, he assassinated Gandhi in protest of his ideals and views. This assassination shocked the world, and it led to a wave of condemnation and grief throughout India.
Godse was hanged for his crime and his name became synonymous with violence and hatred. The legacy of his actions lives on, but they are vastly overshadowed by the legacy of Gandhi’s peaceful activism. Mahatma Gandhi taught us many important lessons about peace and tolerance which have shaped our society. He believed strongly in ahimsa (non-injury) and advocated for nonviolent solutions to difficult problems. He showed us how dialogue and understanding could be used to bridge even the largest divides. He reminded us that peace begins within ourselves; if we want peace in the world we must start within ourselves by being compassionate towards others. Mahatma Gandhi also taught us the importance of selfless service, believing that service to others was more important than material gain or power.
Lastly, he showed us that we can stand up peacefully against injustice without resorting to violence or hatred. By following these lessons, we can continue to honour Gandhi’s legacy and keep striving for peace and justice in the world.

Nathuram Godse was a Hindu nationalist who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. Godse was opposed to Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and believed that violence was sometimes necessary to achieve independence from British colonial rule. Godse also argued that Mahatma Gandhi favoured the Muslim population in India and that his appeasement policies had weakened the Hindu majority. He argued that Gandhi was responsible for the partition of India, which created the modern state of Pakistan. Godse saw the assassination of Gandhi as an act of patriotism against a leader who had betrayed the Hindu cause.
However, this view was not shared by many in India at the time or today. Mahatma Gandhi himself advocated peaceful resistance over the violent protest and embraced non-violence even when faced with intense hostility and provocation. He organized numerous campaigns of civil disobedience to bring about change without resorting to violence. His famous Salt March was one such example, in which he led thousands of people to the sea to collect salt without paying taxes. His principle of satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) is still remembered by many in India today. Mahatma Gandhi also promoted religious tolerance, calling on Hindus and Muslims alike to be tolerant of each other’s beliefs and practices. He saw all people as one and spoke out for those affected by injustice regardless of their religion or caste.

Godse was right?

The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most controversial events in India’s history. The act was committed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who saw Gandhi’s policies as too pro-Muslim. While some consider Godse to be a terrorist and his actions completely unjustified, others consider him to be a hero for standing up against what they saw as the tyranny of Gandhi.
Godse believed that Gandhi’s policy of non-violence and appeasement had weakened India’s defense and allowed Muslims to gain an unfair advantage over Hindus. He saw Gandhi as a traitor to Hinduism and the nation and believed that his actions were necessary to protect India from further division and destruction.
Despite Godse’s views, it can be argued that Gandhi’s non-violent approach was ultimately beneficial for India. His philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence) inspired millions of Indians to stand up against British colonialism, which ultimately led to India’s independence in 1947.
Furthermore, Gandhi was a strong advocate of religious harmony and tolerance, even during the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, when millions of people were killed in communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
The question of whether Godse was right or wrong will likely remain an open debate for many years to come. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether Gandhi’s nonviolent approach was the right path for India or if Godse’s extreme views were more suitable. Either way, the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi remains a tragedy that shook India to its core. To this day, Mahatma Gandhi continues to serve as an inspiration to those seeking justice and peace through nonviolent means. Even today, his words are quoted around the world whenever there is talk of civil rights or peace movements.
Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy lives on through the numerous books, films and plays about his life and works. His teachings have been adopted by many, including Martin Luther King Jr., who sought to use nonviolence in his struggle for African American civil rights. Moreover, various political figures throughout the world continue to cite Mahatma Gandhi’s words whenever they face challenges such as ethnic conflict or oppressive governments.
Even though it has been 70 years since Mahatma Gandhi’s passing, he continues to be remembered and celebrated as a beacon of truth, justice and peace all around the world. From protest marches to art installations, Gandhi’s name still stands out among other famous freedom fighters.

In last

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and peaceful resistance was an integral part of India’s struggle for independence. Despite being assassinated by Nathuram Godse in 1948, Gandhi’s legacy of peaceful protest and civil disobedience continues to inspire millions around the world to this day. His teachings and example of peaceful resistance remain a powerful reminder that lasting change can be achieved without the use of violence. On the other hand, Godse had a completely different outlook on India’s freedom struggle. He believed that only through the use of force could one successfully attain independence from British rule. As opposed to Gandhi’s strict adherence to non-violent methods, he sought out violent means as a way to reach his political goals. Godse also saw Mahatma Gandhi as a threat to his nationalist beliefs. He accused him of supporting Muslim interests at the expense of Hindu ones and sought to take revenge against him as such. As a result, Godse felt justified in assassinating Gandhi as a means of achieving his goal of Indian independence through violent means.

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