It is common knowledge that Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead in 1948 by a Hindu militant, shortly after India had both gained her independence and lost nearly a quarter of her territory to the new state of Pakistan. Lesser known is assassin Nathuram Godse s motive. Until now, no publication has dealt with this question, except for the naked text of Godse s own defence speech during his trial. It didn t save him from the hangman, but still contains substantive arguments against the facile glorification of the Mahatma. Dr Koenraad Elst compares Godse s case against Gandhi with criticisms voiced in wider circles, and with historical data known at the time or brought to light since.