History

Becoming Of A Mahatma: The Assassination and Canonisation of MK Gandhi

How, and most importantly — Why was Gandhi killed, and what turned him into a Mahatma (great soul)?

If you’ve read this story already —

Some Hard Truths About MK Gandhi: Not So Mahatma (Great), After All!

You might know by now, how Gandhi took several controversial decisions in his life, and why many Indians themselves, don’t consider him to be worthy of the title of ‘Mahatma’ or ‘Father of the Nation’. In this story, let’s look at why really was Gandhi assassinated and what happened after his death that rose him to the status of a saint, posthumously.

Mugshot of Nathuram Vinayak Godse — the man who killed Gandhi (Credits: Biography.com)

The Year 1948

Hardly four months had passed since India’s independence, and Nathuram Godse, assassinated Gandhi on January 30th. Godse is the name that everyone knows, and even hates. But very few people know the reason behind the man’s actions.

He didn’t kill Gandhi and disappear like a murderer. But he surrendered himself, went to the court and gave a speech stating…