Who Killed Mahatma Gandhi? Details of Bapu’s Assassination by Nathuram Godse

Mumbai, January 29: India will observe the 78th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi tomorrow, January 30. Known as Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs' Day), the date marks the 1948 assassination of the "Father of the Nation" at Birla House in New Delhi. At 5:17 PM on that fateful Friday, Mahatma Gandhi was approaching a prayer meeting when he was shot three times at point-blank range, a tragedy that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru famously described by saying, "the light has gone out of our lives."

The anniversary remains a somber occasion for reflection on Gandhi's principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (truth). Across the nation, a two-minute silence is observed at 11:00 AM, and tributes are led by the President and Prime Minister at Rajghat, his final resting place. While decades have passed, the historical details of the conspiracy and the final moments of his life continue to be studied for their profound impact on modern India. ‘Mahatma Gandhi an Ideology and Ideology Never Dies’: Congress Pays Tributes to Father of the Nation on His Death Anniversary (See Pics and Videos).

Who Assassinated Mahatma Gandhi?

Nathuram Vinayak Godse, a 37-year-old Hindu nationalist from Pune, was the man who fired the fatal shots. Godse had been associated with the Hindu Mahasabha and earlier had links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was an activist and journalist who edited a newspaper called Hindu Rashtra, which frequently criticised Gandhi’s political and religious views.

Godse did not act alone; he was the primary executioner in a larger conspiracy involving several others, most notably Narayan Apte, who was considered the mastermind behind the logistics of the attack. During his trial, Godse admitted to the murder but argued it was a "moral duty," citing his opposition to Gandhi’s support for the partition of India and the payment of 55 crore rupees to Pakistan as his primary grievances. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birth Anniversary 2026: PM Narendra Modi Leads Nation in Paying Tributes to Freedom Fighter on Parakram Diwas.

How Nathuram Godse Killed Mahatma Gandhi?

The assassination was carried out with a semi-automatic Beretta M 1934 pistol. On the evening of January 30, as Gandhi walked toward the prayer dais supported by his grandnieces, Godse emerged from the crowd. He initially bowed to Gandhi as if to seek his blessings, then pushed aside one of the attendants and fired three bullets into Gandhi’s chest and abdomen at point-blank range.

Gandhi collapsed immediately, reportedly uttering the words "Hey Ram" (Oh God) before losing consciousness. Godse was apprehended by the crowd and security personnel, including American vice-consul Herbert Reiner Jr Following a high-profile trial at the Red Fort, Godse and Narayan Apte were sentenced to death and were executed at Ambala Jail on November 15, 1949.

The assassination followed several failed attempts on Gandhi’s life, including a bomb explosion at the same venue just ten days prior, on January 20, 1948. Despite the clear threat, Gandhi had refused to increase his security or allow armed guards to search those attending his public multi-faith prayer meetings, stating that his life was in God's hands.

Today, the site of the assassination at Birla House has been converted into a memorial museum known as Gandhi Smriti. The "Martyrs' Column" marks the exact spot where he fell, serving as a reminder of the cost of communal extremism and the enduring strength of the non-violent movement he led.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2026 08:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).