Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP MP candidate from Bhopal, has described Nathuram Godse (Gandhi's assassin) as a patriot. She was reacting to Kamal Haasan's description of Godse as a "Hindu terrorist". "Godse was, is and will always be a deshbakth," she said.

The controversial Sadhvi's statements have come in from criticism from her own party. BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao declared that she should apologize for the statements. "It's not our party's opinion," he added.

Asaduddin Owaisi was one of the first Opposition politicians to condemn her. "Remember, Narendra Modi has defended and endorsed Pragya’s candidature. This is not a lunatic fringe and is definitely not her personal opinion. It is the BJP stance on Independent India’s first terrorist. In a few years, Sri Sri Godse will also be recommended with a Bharat Ratna," he opined.