Surat: Six members of Hindu Mahasabha, were arrested on Monday for allegedly celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse at a temple in Surat.

Surat Police Commissioner Satish Sharma  told PTI, “During the celebration, Hindu Mahasabha members lit up diyas around Godse’s photograph, exchanged sweets and sang hymns in the temple premise. They also recorded videos and took photographs of the event.”

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Sharma further added that “their act of revering Godse deeply hurt the sentiments of citizens. It was an attempt to incite people and disturb peaceful atmosphere”.

According to a statement issued by the Surat Police identified the six activists as Hiresh Mashru, Vala Bharvad, Viral Malvi, Hitesh Sonara, Yogesh Patel and Manish Kalal.

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As per the report, The activists had organised the event within the premises of the Suryamukhi Hanuman temple in Limbyayat area of Surat on Sunday and were arrested as a result of it. Godse’s birthplace Baramati (Pune) was part of the Bombay Presidency when he was born on 19 May 1910.

The accused were arrested under Sections 153 (provocation with an intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups, doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 153B (making assertions prejudicial to national-integration) of the Indian Penal Code.