Nathuram Godse India’s first terrorist, says Azam Khan

BAREILLY: Launching a stinging attack on the RSS, senior Samajwadi Party functionary Azam Khan on Saturday slammed the organization for "glorifying Nathuram Godse".

Khan said Godse was the 'first terrorist' of the country, and the saffron body should be banned for its attempt to "glorify" the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.

Speaking to newspersons, Azam also slammed UP governor Ram Naik for "exceeding his brief" and said the President should take note of his "unconstitutional style of functioning" and sack him.

Reacting to an unconfirmed report that the Prime Minister, facing pressure from the RSS on the conversion issue, had threatened to quit, Azam said Narendra Modi would never take such a step. "He (Modi) will never do any such thing," Azam said. "He favours the presidential form of government in the country and to accomplish this desire he is bent upon changing the Constitution."

Khan said it was time the PM broke his silence on the conversion controversy because his silence was giving impetus to other leaders.