The controversy over the Hindu Mahasabha’s plan to build a temple for Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, took an interesting turn on Sunday when thousands of villagers resolved at a rally that they would not allow the temple to come up.

The development comes a day after civil society activists sought to counter the Mahasabha’s “propaganda” against Mahatma Gandhi and the historical facts about his assassination. The villagers also decided to approach the Prime Minister’s Office.

The ‘Jansamvad’ rally, organised by the Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena (UPNS) at Rohat, was attended by the residents of 20-odd villages in Meerut district.

UPNS chief Amit Jani told The Hindu that the residents would not allow any Godse statue to be built because it would amount to an “insult” to the idea of India.

Mr. Jani, who made the headlines after he vandalised the statue of Mayawati when she was the Chief Minister, said the people of the whole country, not only those of Meerut, needed to oppose the plan. He said he would petition the PMO on January 11.

Pointing out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t say anything on the issue, Mr. Jani said: “We will not only ask the PMO to act against those who want to commit this anti-national act but also request the PMO to make its stand clear.”