BJP leader says Mahatma Gandhi was the father of the nation of Pakistan

Bhopal : The BJP on Friday suspended its Madhya Pradesh spokesperson Anil Saumitra from its primary membership for calling Mahatma Gandhi the “father of the nation of Pakistan”.

Anil Saumitra wrote in a facebook post : “Mahatma Gandhi was the father of the nation but of Pakistan. India has had crores of sons like him, some worthy, some unworthy.”

Anil Saumitra told reporters, “Nobody known or unknown has the honour of being the father of India. So Mahatma Gandhi could be the father of the nation but of Pakistan. Everyone is proud to be the son of the Indian motherland.”

Anil Saumitra has not deleted his post.

“No one is 24X7 spokesperson of the party. His views are not always the views of the party,” he said.

Anil Saumitra’s remark came a day after the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, told reporters during a road show in Agar-Malwa. “Nathuram Godse was a patriot, is a patriot and will remain a patriot. People calling him a terrorist should instead look within. Such people will be given a befitting reply in these elections.”

She later apologized for her “personal remarks”.