MEERUT: The first ever bust of Nathuram Godse – Mahatma Gandhi ’s assassin– was installed and unveiled by the members of Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha at their Sharda road office in Meerut on the occasion of Gandhi’s birthday on Sunday. The statue, which had drawn controversy in December 2014, was finally erected as the members of the Hindu outfit also observed Gandhi’s birthday as ‘Dhikkar Divas’.Detailing, Pandit Ashok Sharma , national vice president of the outfit, said, “In 2014, when we had tried to install the bust of Godse after a foundation stone laying ceremony. It was opposed by police and right-wing outfits due to which the spot was sealed and the matter was taken to court. This time, we exercised extreme caution and unveiled the statue on Gandhi Jayanti – as there can be a no better day. Our step signifies that it is time all Indians stop following Gandhi’s footsteps and start worshipping Godse."The two-feet high and two-feet wide stone statue of Godse, made by artisans in Jaipur, weighs 50kg. It was brought to Meerut office by Yogendra Verma, Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha’s UP unit president. A shawl and a garland were presented to Godse’s bust by the members after it was unveiled."The bust cost me Rs 45,000 and was brought from Jaipur to Meerut. I have put in all the money because I don’t see a point taking money from others for such a good cause," said Verma.The members of the Hindu outfit also referred to the surgical strikes of Indian Army post-Uri attacks and said that the strikes are itself a signal of the Indian government that they want to get rid of Gandhi’s principles."Do we follow Gandhian principles these days? The recent surgical strikes done by the Indian Army gives my answer. All of us follow Godse’s principles, but still praise and worship Gandhi. Had we been following Gandhi’s footsteps, surgical strikes would not have happened. I offer my condolences to the families of the soldiers who died in Uri attacks and pray that Indian Army keeps giving befitting replies to Pakistan just like they recently did," said Sharma.The Hindu outfit leaders claimed to have observed the day as ‘Dhikkar Divas’ wherein they shunned the principles of Gandhi and conducted a yagna in this regard. They celebrated January 30, the day Gandhi was killed, as 'Ananya Divas' and distributed sweets.