Godse was a member of the Hindu Mahasabha, a right-wing political organization that opposed the partition of India and Pakistan and was critical of Gandhi's support for the creation of Pakistan. He believed that Gandhi had betrayed Hindus by supporting the partition and by advocating for Muslim rights.
Godse shot Gandhi three times at close range while he was walking to a prayer meeting in Delhi. He was later arrested, tried, and convicted of murder, and hanged on November 15, 1949.