Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, the independence movement leader shot dead by a Hindu opponent on this day 75 years ago.
"I bow to Bapu on his death anniversary and recall his profound thoughts," Modi tweeted ahead of taking part in a ceremony in New Delhi.
"I also pay homage to all those who have been martyred in the service of our nation. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten and will keep strengthening our resolve to work for a developed India," he added.
The death anniversary of Gandhi, who is widely known in India as Bapu (father), is also observed as Martyrs' Day in the country.
Gandhi was assassinated at a multi-faith prayer meeting in January 1948 by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu religious zealot irked by Gandhi's conciliatory gestures towards the country's Muslim minority.
Modi has regularly paid his respects to Gandhi, often visiting his spiritual retreat with foreign dignitaries, and speaking about his legacy.
But Modi has refrained from commenting on efforts by Hindu nationalists to rehabilitate and honour Godse, who was executed in 1949.
Assassin seen as a hero by some
Some have conducted reenactments of the assassination using an effigy of Gandhi.
Modi's government has also championed the work of Hindu ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who is known as Godse's mentor.
Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi told the French AFP news agency last week that under Modi, Godse's views are seeing a worrying new resonance in India.
"That whole philosophy has now captured India and Indian hearts, the ideology of hate, the ideology of polarisation, the ideology of divisions," he told AFP.
"There is no denying that in his heart, Modi also knows what he is doing is lighting a fire that will one day consume India itself," Tushar Gandhi said.
