MARGAO
Claiming that his book 'Nathuram Godse: The Story of an Assassin' neither denigrates the Mahatma nor glorifies his assassin, its author and publisher Anup Ashok Sardesai, said the book only narrates the story of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination through the perspective of his assassin.
Addressing a press conference, Sardesai also rubbished the thought of 'rumour mongers' about his efforts to mock the Mahatma's assassination and justify his murder by launching the book on January 30. “If I had any such intention, I would have launched the book on November 15, 2015, the day on which Nathuram Godse was hanged,” he remarked.
Stating that the book was released on online sites like Flipkart, Amazon, Shopclues and Paytm on October 15, 2015, Sardesai said he did not launch the book on November 15 as he did not have any intention to glorify the Mahatma's assassin. I am releasing the book on January 30 as this book is based on Gandhiji's assassination,” he remarked.
He claimed hundreds of copies of the book have been sold online. “Yet, till date, nobody has raised any objection over the contents of the book. If the book contained any material which denigrated the Mahatma, the book would have been banned by now,” he said.
Taking a dig at his opponents, Sardesai said he regrets that 'such people' who have no idea of what his book is all about.
Stating that his book comprises of four chapters, relating to the assassination, riots aftermath, Sardesai said the chapter titled 'Aftermath' is written after “thorough research” and contains those aspects which are not in public domain. “Despite the courts exonerating Sawarker (VD Sawarker), his name is besmirched and some use derogatory language against him (Sawarker),” he told mediapersons.
Explaining the motive behind his writing on this topic, Sardesai said it was to read the mind of an assassin, particularly about Nathuram's background and as to why he (Nathuram) had to think of taking such an extreme step. “It was the effect of partition on his (Nathuram's) mind,” he stated.
Sardesai also said he does not justify the murder of the Mahatma but said Nathuram Godse was helping the refugees in New Delhi at that time. “The killing is not justified but do not vilify the criminal,” he remarked.
Stating that Indian history is distorted and used for public glorification and that only certain people are glorified, Sardesai said he wants to set these things right.
He also claimed to have written to the police in the light of the controversy. Sardesai said he is only exercising his 'Constitutional right' as regards the release of the book. “What is wrong with my book? Should I require permission from someone? I can release the book on any day. It is my fundamental right. As a citizen of this sovereign democratic nation, I have every right to express my sentiments without fear,” he stated.
